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| LIBRARY OF CONGRESS. I 



8 (ttljap. -S^'SSI I 

I UNITED STATES OF AMERICA J 



THE 

COMPLETE F1ERIEE, 

OE 

HORSE-DOCTOR. 

A TREATISE ON THE DISEASES OF 

HORSES: 

WRITTEN IN PLAIN LANGUAGE, WHICH THOSd WHO CAN BEaD 
MAY EASILY UNDERSTAND. 

THE WHOLE BEING THE RESULT OF 

SEVENTY YEARS EXTENSIVE PRACTICE OF THE AITIH5R. 

JOHN C. KNOWLSON. 



MANY OF THE RECIPES IN THIS BOOK ARE WORTH ONE HUNDRED DOLLARS EAC^ 
AND THE WHOLE ARE NEW TO THE WORLD. 



$ 1) Haft elp I) ia: 

T. B. PETERSON, No. 98 CHESNUT STREET. 



AUTHOR'S PREFACE, 



About twenty years ago many people pressed me much to write a treatise on 
Hoeses ; but I then refused, thinking that one of my own family would succeed 
me in the business of a Farrier ; but my hopes are cut off, and now, at the age 
of nearly ninety years, it is my duty to do what I can to benefit my fellow-crea- 
tures, and I thank my God that it is both in my heart and in my power to do so. 
For this reason this little book is sent out into the world, and it is my hope that 
many may be benefitted by it. Should it be an instrument of good to one poor 
man's horse, it will be a blessing ; but it may be useful in saving thousands. 
A true explanation of the disorders, and safe and easy medicines for the cure of 
horses, are laid down in it in the plainest language — not that of a learned writer, 
but for a poor man's reading. I do not mean to make easy things hard, but hard 
things easy ; and hope that my readers will be candid enough to consider well 
before they cast any reflections upon it. I do not know that there are errors in 
it, but possibly there may be, considering my old age. I can truly say it is writ- 
ten from experience alone, as there is not one borrowed receipt in it, therefore 
it must be new to the world : and I have no other motive than to do good. One 
word as to drugs. When you buy them, be careful to have them good, as drug- 
gists are not always to be depended on for having good articles. The safest 
way is to buy them in their natural state, and to powder them as you want them. 
Do not be too hasty in giving medicines, but let one operate before you give 
another. Great hurt is often done by being too hasty. I wish also to caution 
you against taking advice of people who neither know the disorders of Horses, 
nor how to prescribe a remedy for them. No man can prescribe proper medi- 
cines except he has a true knowledge of herbs, roots, minerals and compounds, 
and how they operate. The first thing a Horse-doctor should do when he begins 
business, is to get well acquainted with drugs, and then with the disorders ; but 
tnese things cannot be done without much practice. Some people are very fluent 
at the tongue ; and if they know the names of a few drugs, and a disorder or 
two, they blow up loudly, and bring forward the names of the drugs they have 
learnt, whether they are good for the disorder or not ; but in this little treatise 
there, is not one thing mentioned that will not bear the strictest scrutiny. 



THE NAME AND SITUATION OF THE EXTERNAL 
PARTS OF A HORSE. 




Tlie Fore-part. 

1 The Forehead. 

2 The Temples. 

2 Cavity above the Eyes. 

4 The Jaw. 

5 The Lips. 

6 The Nostrils. 

7 The Tip of the Nose. 

8 The Chin. 

9 The Beard. 

10 The Neck. 

11 The Mane. 

12 The Fore-top. 

13 The Throat. 

14 The Withers. 

15 The Shoulders. 

16 The Chest. 

17 The Elbow. 

18 The Arm. 

19 The Plate Vein. 

20 The Chesnut. 

21 The Knee. 

22 The Shank. 

23 The back Sinows, 

or Main Tendons. 



24 The Fetlock Joint. 

25 The Fetlock. 

26 The Pastern. 

27 The Coronet. 

28 The Hoof. 

29 The Quarters. 

30 The Toe. 

31 The Heel. 

The Body. 

32 The Reins. 

33 The Fillets. 

34 The Ribs. 

35 The Belly. 

36 The Flanks. 
The Hind-imrU 

37 The Rump. 

38 The Tail. 

39 The Buttocks. 

40 The Haunches. 

41 The Stifle. 

42 The Thighs. 

43 The Hock. 

44 The Instep. 

45 The Point of the Hock. 



INDEX, 



Page 

General Remarks, . 7 

How to Choose a Horse, • » . 7 

A. Cold, .... 10 

A Cough and Asthma, 12 

The Cholic or Gripes, „ c ...... . 13 

The Flatulent or Windy Cholic, 14 

The Bilious or Inflammatory Cholic, 16 

The Dry Gripes, 17 

Worms and Bots, 17 

The Yellows or Jaundice, 19 

The Staggers, 21 

Convulsions, or the Stag Evil, . . 21 

Fevers, . ,23 

A Compound Fever, ...25 

A Broken Wind, 27 

A Consumption, 30 

A Scouring, and other Disorders of the Intestines, . . . . 31 

Disorders of the Kidneys and Bladder, 33 

The Molten Grease, 3£ 

A Surfeit, 36 

The Hidebound, 38 

The Mange, 39 

The Farcy or Farcin, 40 

The Water Farcy, .43 

Sprains, 44 

The Bone Spavin, 49 

The Blood or Bog Spavin, „ ....... 50 

A Corb, , 51 

A Ring Bone, 51 

Mallenders and Sallenders, ........ 51 



Vi INDEX. 

The Strangles, 61 

The Glanders, 63 

Swellings and Ira post humes, ........ 53 

Wounds, 64 

Hurts in the Feet, 65 

A Twitter-Bone, 56 

A Fistula, and Bruises of the Withers 50 

Warb es, Girth-Galls, and Plushes from Saddles, ... 57 

Windgails, * 58 

The Grease ,58 

Scratches, .69 

The Crown Scab, 5'J 

Directions for Managing a Horse on a Journey, .... 60 

Directions for Riding, and for Breaking a Horse in, . ,88 



THE COMPLETE FARRIER. 



GENERAL REMARKS. 

Of all things that the great Creator has made for the use of Man, 
the Horse is the most serviceable. It is also the most tractable, if 
broken in when young; but if not, it becomes restive and stubborn. 
No creature is worse used among the brutish part of mankind. 

There are only three kinds of these useful creatures, viz. the Horse, 
the Ass, and the Zebra : but by crossing the breeds, many different 
sorts are produced. You may raise a cross breed from a horse, with 
an ass, but you can go no further. We cannot learn with certainty 
from history from whence horses came at first, but it is very likely 
from Asia; although the extensive plains of Africa abound with them, 
and they run wild in many other parts of the world, where the natives 
know no other use of them than to eat their flesh. 

In more civilized countries the horse becomes more tractable, and 
then, and not till then, its proper value appears. Our own country 
may challenge all nations for a good breed of horses, proper for all 
uses. We have them from 8 to 18 hands high ; some as heavy as any 
in the world, and some very small ; some calculated for swiftness, and 
some for drudgery ; and some which are kept for show, and are of lit- 
tle use : but that is the fault of the owner, and not of the horse. 

Many of these useful creatures are slaughtered by sinful men, and 
many are illtreated through that abominable practice and soul-destroy- 
ing evil — drunkenness ; and these poor animals, which are so useful 
to man, are hungered, whipt, and illtreated many other ways. A 
horse is agreeable for its beauty, as well as valuable for its useful- 
ness : but neither of these things prevents wicked men from using him 
ill. But it is not my intention to give you a history of the horse in 
this little treatise, but to inform you how to cure it when out a? health. 

HOW TO CHOOSE A HORSE. 

Jn my time I have bought and sold hundreds of horses, as well as 
had thousands under my care when unwell, but still I am at a loss how 
to give my readers proper directions how to choose one ; for among all 
the difficulties attending the common affairs of life, there is not perhaps 
a greater than that of choosing a good horse ; nor will this appear 
strange when we consider the number of niceties attending this animal, 
with regard to its shape and manner of going, which are so numerous 
that it would fill a volume to describe them. Indeed, the best judges 
are obliged to content themselves with guessing at some things, unless 
a sufficient trial be allowed. 

The Eyes are the first things to atter d to, and shouM be well exam- 
ined, as the best judges are often deceived in them. Clearness of the 



8 THE COMPLETE FARRIER. 

Eyes is a sure indication of their goodness; but this is not all thai 
should be attended to : the eyelids, eyebrows, and all the other parts, 
must also be considered ; for many horses whose eyes appear clear and 
brilliant go blind at seven or eight years old. Therefore be careful to 
observe whether the parts between the eyelids and the eyebrows are 
free from bunches, and whether the parts round the under eyelids be 
full, or swelled ; for these are indications that the eyes will not last. 
When the eyes are remarkably flat, or sunk within their orbits, it is a 
bad sign ; also when they look dead and lifeless. The Iris, or circle 
that surrounds the sight of the eye, should be distinct, and of a pale, 
variegated, cinnamon color, for this is always a sure sign of a good 
eye. 

When the horse is first led out of a dark stable into a strong light, be 
sure to observe whether he wrinkles his brow, and looks upwards to re- 
ceive more light ; for that shews his eyes to be bad. But if you observe 
I hat the dimensions of the pupil are large, and that they contract upon 
his corning into a strong light, it is almost an infallible sign that his 
eyes are good. 

Sometimes what are called Haws grow on the corner of the eye, and 
get so large that they infect the eye, and cause the horse to go blind . 
You may take them out, and although it will disfigure the eye, yet h 
will be little worse. 

In the next place examine the Teeth, as you would not wish to pur- 
chase an old horse, nor a very young one for service. A horse ha* 
six teeth above, and six below, in the fore-mouth, which are called th« 
Cutting-Teeth. At two years and a half old it changes two on the top 
and two on the bottom, which are called the Nippers ; at three year* 
and a half it changes two others, called the Separators ; at four and s\ 
naif it changes the Nook Teeth; and at five years old has a full mouth ; 
when the Tusks, commonly called the Bridle-Fangs, rise. 

Horse-dealers have a trick of knocking out the nook teeth at threo 
years and a half, to make the horse appear five years old when only 
four; but they cannot raise the tusks. At six years old the Nook 
Teeth are a little hollow, and at seven there is a black mark, like the 
end of a ripe bean. Afterwards you will observe the flesh to shrink 
from the teeth, which grow long and yellow. 

Horse-dealers have also a method which they call Bishaping a 
horse's mouth; that is, filing the tusks shorter, rounding them at the 
ends, taking a little out of the nook teeth, so as to make them rather 
hollow, and then burning them with a hot iron. I was hired by An- 
thony Johnson, of Wincolmlee, Hull, as farrier to a numDer of hor- 
ses that were going to the city of Moscow, in Russia, for sale, and we 
had a little grey stoned horse, called Peatum, that was seventeen 
years old, the mouth of which I bishoped, and he passed for six years 
old, and was the first horse sold, and for £500 English money ! I only 
mention this as a caution to horse-buyers. 

The Feet should next be regarded ; for a horse with bad feet is like 
a house with a weak foundation, and will do, little service. The feet 
should be smooth and tough, of a middle size, without wrinkles, and 
neither too hard and brittle, nor too soft: the Heels should be firm, 



THE COMPLETE FARRIER. 9 

ana not spongy and rotten; the Frogs horny and dry ; and the Sole3 
somewhat hollow, like the inside of a dish or bowl. Such feet will 
never disappoint your expectations, and such only should be chosen. 

Particular regard should be had to the Shoulders ; they should no; 
be too much loaded, for a horse with heavy shoulders can never move 
well ; and on the other hand, one that has very thin shoulders, and a 
narrow chest, though he may move briskly so long as he is sound, yet 
he is generally weak, and easily lamed in the shoulders; a medium 
should therefore be chosen. 

Be careful to observe the creature's Motions, — that the shoulders, 
knees, and pasterns all act together, and have but one spring of motion, 
for in that case alone can they be said to move well. 

The Limbs should be free from *Splents and §Windgalls. The 
Knees should be straight, and not bending, or what is called a calf's 
knee: the Back-sinews strong and well braced: the Pastern Joints 
clean, and free from swellings of all kinds ; and the Hocks lean and 
dry, and free from X Spavins, § Corbs and Flatulent Tumors. 

The Body, or Carcass, should neither be too small nor too large. 
The Back should be straight, or have only a moderate sinking below 
the Withers : for when the back of a horse is low, or higher behind 
than before, it is both very ugly and a sign of weakness. The back 
should also be of a proper length. The Ribs should be large, the 
Flanks smooth and full, and the Hind-parts, or uppermost Haunches, not 
higher than the shoulders. When the horse trots before you, observe 
if his haunches cover his fore-knees. A horse with a short hind- 
quarter does not look well. 

The next thing to be regarded in a horse is his Wind, which may 
be easily judged of by the motion of his flanks. A broken-winded 
horse always pinches in his flanks, with a very slow motion, and 
di'ops them suddenly, which may be easily perceived. Many horses 
breathe thick that are not broken- winded ; indeed, any horse will in 
foggy weather, or if foul fed, without sufficient exercise ; but if a 
horse has been in good keeping, and had proper exercise, and yet has 
these symptoms, there is some defect, either natural or accidental ; 
such as a narrow chest, or some cold that has affected the lungs. 

There are other particulars that should be observed in choosing a 
horse. If his Head be large and fleshy, and his Neck thick and gross, 
he will always go heavy on the hand, and therefore such should never 
be chosen. A horse that has his Hocks very wide, seldom moves well, 
and one that has them too near will chafe and cut his legs by crossing 
them. Fleshy-legged horses are generally subject to the Grease, and 
other infirmities of that kind, and therefore should not be chosen. 

The Temper of a horse should be particularly attended to ; because 

* There are four kinds of Splents ; viz. The Bone Splent, the Blood Splent, the Osse- 
let, and the Horn Splent. 

§ Windgalls are soft Tumors, seated on either side of the Fetlock Joint. 

f There are two kinds of Spavins; viz. The Blood Spavin which lies in the joint of the 
hind leg, something like a Wind-gall, going quite through the joint, and is then culled a 
Thorough Pin ; and the Bone Spavin, which lies just below the joint, on the inside, and is 
vailed by dealers a Dry Knot, or Jack. 

|| A Corb lies on the back side of the hind-1 :g, near the lower part of the joint- 



10 THE COMPLETE FARRIER. 

if his temper be good, it greatly augments his value, and if bad, it 
exposes him to many accidents. It is difficult to discover the temper 
of a horse without a proper trial, which should always be obtained, 
if possible. Fear is an impediment which greatly lessens the value 
of a horse ; for a fearful horse endangers both himself and his rider. 
Almost every day affords us melancholy instances of persons being 
hurt or killed by fearful horses ; and many horses are utterly spoiled 
by accidents that happen from their fearfulness. A fearful horse 
may be known at first sight by his starting, crouching, and creeping. 

A hot and fretful horse is also to be avoided, but the buyer should 
be careful to distinguish between a hot, fretful horse, and one that is 
eager and craving. The former begins to fret the moment he is out 
of the stable, and continues in that humor till he has quite fatigued 
himself; and the latter only endeavors to be foremost in the field, 
aj..^ is truly valuable ; he has those qualities that resemble prudence 
anu courage ', ;he other those that resemble intemperate heat and 
rasn; ess. 

W.ien dealers have had a horse some time in their stables, they 
exercise him with a whip two or three times a day ; so that when a 
Chapman goes to look at him, they have only to stir their hand with 
the whip in it, and it is hard to say whether the horse be lame or not, 
it being so fearful of a drubbing, that a good judge may be deceived. 

A horse that goes with his fore- feet low is very apt to stumble ; 
and there are some that go so near the ground that they stumble 
most on even road ; and the dealers, to remedy this, put heavy shoes 
on their feet, for the heavier a horse's shoes are the higher he will 
lift his feet. Care also should be taken that the horse does not cut 
one leg with the other. A horse that goes near the ground will cut 
the low side of the fetlock joint, but one that goes high cuts below the 
knee, which is called the speedy cut. A horse that lifts his feet high 
generally trots fast, but is not the easiest for the rider. Some horses 
cut with the spurn of the foot, and some with the heel ; but this you 
may soon perceive by their standing ; for if a horse points the front 
of his foot inward, he cuts with the spurn, and if outward with the 
heel. 

These few instructions may be of use in purchasing horses ; but 1 
advise every one to get some experimental knowledge of them before 
he trusts to his own judgment, for the dealers have so many arts to 
hide the defects of their horses, that the best judges are often deceived. 

A COLD. 

This is such a common disease, that many people look upon it 
with indiffeu.</ce ; but there are few disorders incident to horses, which 
do not more or less derive their origin from a Cold. But, as only those 
who are used to horses can tell when they have got this disease, it 
will be necessary to describe the nature of a cold, and the usual 
symptoms that attend it. 

Causes of Colds. These are various ; but the most usual are, 
riding the horse till he is hot, and then suffering him to stand still, 



THE COMPLETE FARRIER. 11 

ftxposed to the cold air ; removing him from a hot stable to a cold 
one: (if the horse have been high-fed, and clothed, the cold contract- 
ed in this manner often proves very violent ; and this is the reason 
why horses often catch a severe cold on their first coming out of the 
dealer's hands:) neglecting to rub him properly down, and to rub 
.he sweat carefully off when he comes in from a journey: — and I 
have known grievous disorders brought on by removing horses into a 
new stable before the walls and plastering were dry. Workmen are 
often in fault for not leaving air-holes above ; as when a horse comes 
into a new stable, and gathers heat, it will cause the walls and plas- 
tering to sweat very much, especially if there are no air-holes left. 
Many a horse has lost his eyes, and some their lives, by being put 
into new stables before they were dry. 

Many farmers and tradesmen get too much drink when they go to 
market, and then set off" for home, riding like madmen, and call at 
Bome public-house on the road to get more of the soul and body de- 
stroying evil, leaving their horses to stand sweating at the door, where 
it is no wonder that they get cold. Waggoners, carters, and coal- 
carriers, are also often guilty of this abominable practice. 

Symptoms. When a horse has caught cold, a cough will follow, 
and he will be heavy and dull in proportion to the severity of the 
disease : his eyes will be watery ; the kernels about his ears, and 
under his jaws, will swell, and a thin mucous gleet will run from his 
nose. If the cold be violent, the horse will be feverish ; his flanks 
will heave, and he will refuse his food. The owners should be very 
careful to observe these last symptoms, because when they appear, 
and are attended with a slimy mouth, cold ears and feet, moist eyes, 
and a great inward soreness, there is danger of a fever, and generally 
of a malignant kind. But when the horse coughs strongly, and 
snorts after it, eats scalded bran, and drinks warm water, is not much 
off his stomach, moves briskly in his stall, dungs and stales freely, 
and without pain, his skin feels kindly, and his coat does not stare, 
there is no danger, nor any occasion for medicine. You should, 
however, bleed him, keep him warm, give him some feeds of scalded 
bran, and let him drink warm water. 

The Cure. If the horse feel hot, and refuse his meat, it will be 
necessary to bleed him plentifully, and to give the following drink. 

2 oz. of Juice of Liquorice. 
2 do. Salt of Tartar. 
_. 2 drams of Saffron. 

2 ounces of Honey: 

Cut the juice small, dissolve all together in hot water, and give it 
nearly cold. This drink may be repeated as occasion requires, but 
et twenty-four hours elapse first. Or give — 

4 oz. of Aniseeds. 
2 do. Liquorice Root. 
1 do. Gum Scammony. 
1 do. Nitre. 

Boil tlrese tog?; her hj three pints of water for ten or twelve minutes} 



12 THE COMPLETE FARRIER. 

strain the liquor through a cloth; and add two ouuct* of lioney to i* 
when you give it to the horse. 

It is a common practice with Farriers to give a drench composed 
of hot, nauseous powders, in a quantity of ale ; but this is a very 
bad practice, for it heats the blood, and consequently increases the 
fever; and at the same time the powders pall the horse's stomach by 
their loathsomeness. The following ball, commonly called The Cor 
dial Ball, is one of the best yet found out for coughs or colds either 
in horse or man, and is much preferable to the horse-balls commonly 
sold at the druggists' shops, and too often made of bad ingredients. 
Be careful to get your drugs good, for this ball is of great worth in 
many disorders, both in racers, hunters, and road horses. Few things 
will remove a cough or a cold, or clear a horse's wind, sooner or 
better. Mr. Markham recommended one something like it, which is 
called Markham's Ball; but you may depend on it, that mine much 
exceeds it in value. 

Take of Aniseeds Powder, Fenugreek, Liquorice Powdor, Elecampane Powder, Flour 
of Brimstone, each 4 ounces; Grains of Paradise, in fine powder, 6 ounces; 4 ounces 
of Liquorice, cut small, and dissolved in White Wine; 1 ounce of Saffron, pound- 
ed small; 1 ounce of Oil of Aniseeds; 8 ounces of Olive Oil; and 8ounces ofHoney. 

Bray them all well together till they come into paste, and if they 
should be too dry, add a little more olive oil and honey. The dose is 
about two ounces, and may be given three or four times a day, if 
needful. These balls consisting of warm, opening ingredients, are 
of great use; and given in small quantities, about the size of a pullet's 
egg, will encourage a free perspiration ; but in case of a Fever they 
should be given with the greatest caution. 

It will be of great use to put scalding-hot bran into the manger, 
that the horse may hold his head over it, and receive the steam up 
his nostrils, which will cause a running from them, and relieve him 
very much. I have known asarabacca, dried and rubbed to powder, 
and blown up the nostrils, to cause a discharge ; for when a horse 
has caught a violent cold, he is often troubled with a pain in his head, 
which a good discharge at the nose is very likely to cure. For the 
same purpose the horse should be warmly clothed, especially about 
the head, neck and throat; as it has a tendency to promote a running 
at the nostrils. 

By this simple method, with proper care, hot mashes, and warm 
water, most colds may be cured; and as soon as the horse begins 
to feed heartily, and snorts after coughing, an hour's exercise every 
day will greatly hasten the cure. If the legs swell, and the horse 
be full of flesh, rowels are necessary. 

A COUGH, AND ASTHMA. 

Among all the diseases to which this noble creature is subject, none 
has given more perplexity to Farriers than a settled Cough ; indeed 
it too often defies all the attempts of art, and the horse frequently be- 
comes Asthmatical, or Broken-winded. 

Causes. The causes are various. Sometimes it is owing to colda 



THE COMPLETE FARRIER. 13 

knpeifectly cured ; sometimes to pleurises, or malignant fevers, which 
have left a taint upon the lungs or other vessels ; sometimes to small 
eruptions in the glands, which cause the lungs to be much larger than 
they ought be, and a quantity of phlegm, and mucilaginous juices, to 
stuff up the glands and branches of the windpipe ; and sometimes to 
fleshy substances engendered in the large blood-vessels ; for all these 
things hinder a free respiration, and excite a cough. 

It is of the utmost importance to distinguish one kind of cough from 
another, and this makes the disorder so hard to cure : for it cannot be 
cured till the seat of the complaint be found out. 

If the cough be of long standing, attended with a loss of appetite, 
wasting of flesh, and weakness, it denotes a Consumption : and that 
the lungs are full of knotty, hard substances, called tubercles. When 
the cough proceeds from phlegm, and mucilaginous matter stuffing up 
the vessels of the lungs, the flanks have a sudden, quick motion, the 
korse breathes thick, but not with his nostrils distended like one that 
iii broken -winded; his cough is sometimes moist, and sometimes dry 
and husky; before he coughs he wheezes, and sometimes throws out 
of his nose or mouth large pieces of white phlegm, especially after 
d rihking, or when -he begins or ends his exercise ; and this discharge 
g enerally gives very great relief. 

Cure. If the horse be full of flesh, take from him a moderate 
quantity of blood. The next day give him scalded bran, and in the 
evening the following ball : — 

1 oz. of Powder of Aniseeds. 

1 do. Liquorice Powder. 

1 dram of Calomel, 8 drams to an oz. 

Work them into a ball with Barbadoes tar. Give this ball the last 
tiling at night, and be careful to keep the horse out of wet, and from 
cold water the next day. On the second morning give the following 
purge:— 

1 oz. of Barbadoes Aloes. 
1 do. Castile Soap. 
£ do. Powdered Ginger. 
I dram Oil of Aniseeds. 

Bray them together i-n a mortar, with a little syrup of buckthorn to 
make them into a ball, which is to be given in the morning; and 
plenty of warm water, and walking exereise, till it be wrought off. 
(It will not work the first day.) In three days after give six ounces 
of the Cordial ball in a little warm ale, fasting, and to fast two hours 
after. Repeat the Calomel ball, physic, and cordial ball, six days 
after, in the same manner as before. Let the horse's hay be sweet, 
and his manger-meat scalded bran, with a spoonful of honey in each 
feed : — let him have walking exercise in the open air, but be careful 
of wet and of cold water. 

When this course has been pursued two or three times, give two 
or three ounces of the cordial ball every morning. The above method 
will lemove most Coughs, but if it fail, try the following: — 

1 oz. of Gum Ammoniacum, in fine powder. 
J do. Gum Galbanum, in powder. 

2 drains of Saffron, brayed, 

2 do. Assafcetida, in powder. 



14 THE COMPLETE FARRIER. 

Work them up with honey, or Barbadoes tar, into one ball ; roll it in 
liquorice powder, and give it fasting, and to fast two hours after. 
This ball must be given every morning, for six or seven times, before 
it can have a fair trial ; but if the horse be not a good one it will be 
thought too expensive. In the cure of this disease, the diet should be 
very moderate, the usual quantity of hay should be abridged, and 
sprinkled with water, and the usual allowance of corn and water di- 
vided into several portions ; for with these regulations in diet the 
disease will soon be cured; and where it is incurable, the horse will 
be so far recovered as to be able to do a great deal of work. 

It may not be improper here to add that some young horses are sub- 
ject to coughs when cutting their teeth, and their eyes are also affect- 
ted from the same cause. In these cases always bleed, and if the 
cough be obstinate, repeat it : and give warm mashes, which are often 
sufficient alone to remove the complaint. 

When young horses have a cough that is caused by worms, as is 
often the case, such medicines must be given as are proper to de- 
stroy those vermin, of which I shall inform you in the chapter on 
worms. 

THE CHOLIC, OR GRIPES. 

This disorder is little understood by common Farriers, and has for 
a long time been a secret to many, so that many a horse has been lost 
in it that might have been saved. The same medicines have gener- 
ally been given to horses in the Cholic as in the dry gripes, when 
there is much difference in the disorders. 

The Cholic proceeds from various causes, therefore the method of 
cure varies ; for otherwise the medicines intended to cure it may in- 
crease it, and perhaps render it fatal. We shall therefore divide this 
disorder into three different species, and endeavor to give such plain 
directions for managing each, as cannot fail to prove very beneficial. 
The three species are these : — 

1. The Flatulent or Windy Cholic. 

2. The Bilious or Inflammatory Cholic. 

3. The Dry Gripes. 

THE FLATULENT OR WINDY CHOLIC. 

Symptoms. The horse is very restless, lying down and starting up 
again. He strikes his belly with his hind-feet, stamps with his fore- 
feet, and refuses his meat. When the pain is violent, he has convul- 
sive twitches ; his eyes are turned up, and his limbs stretched out, as 
if dying ; and his ears and feet alternately cold ; he falls into profuse 
sweats, and then into cold damps ; often tries to stale, and turns his 
head frequently to his flanks ; he then falls down, rolls about, and 
often turns on his back. This last symptom proceeds from a stoppage 
of urine, which generally attends this species of cholic, and may be 
increased by a load of dung pressing on the neck of the bladder. 

Causes. This disease often proceeds from catching cold by drink- 
ing cold water when hot, and the perspirable matter is by that means 
thrown upon the bowels, which causes them to distend violently, and 



THE COMPLETE FARRIER. 15 

sometimes brings or an inflammation in the small intestines, \\ hen the 
body begins to swell, and the cure is despaired of. 

Cure. The first thing to be done is to empty the straight gut with 
a small hand, dipped-4n oil. This frequently gives room for the wind, 
before confined in the bowels, to discharge itself: and, by taking off 
the weight that pressed upon the neck of the bladder, the suppression 
of urine is removed, upon which the horse immediately stales, and 
becomes much easier. If the horse be young, and full of blood, it 
will be proper to take a sufficient quantity of blood from the neck. 

When these purgative operations have been performed, the follow. 
ing may be given, as it seldom fails to give relief. 

4 oz. of Tincture of Senna, or Daffy's Elixir. 

6 drams of Tincture of Opium. 

1 dram of Oil of Junip r. 

8 oz. of Juniper Berries, bruised. 

Put one quart of boiling water on the juniper berries, let them stand 
a few minutes, strain it off, put all together, and give them to the 
horse. 

If he does not find relief soon after taking this dose, both by staling 
and breaking wind, it is doubtful whether he will receive any benefit 
from it ; so you must prepare the following clyster for him as soon as 
you can. Take — 

Camomile Flowers, 4 ounces; Aniseeds, Fennel, and Coriander, 2 ounces of each. Boil 
them in 1 quart of water, and add 2 oz. of Castile Soap, cut small, while the water is 
hot, that the' soap may dissolve. Give it blood-warm. 

During the fit, the horse may be walked about, or trotted a little, 
but should by no means be harassed, or driven about till he is jaded. 
If no better, give the following. 

2 drams of Camphor. 

1 dram of Pellitory of Spain. 

2 oz. of Ginger Powder. 

3 gills of Holland Gin. 

If the horse sweat much at times, and then falls into cold sweats, 
give four ounces of mithridate, in three gills of Holland gin, and re- 
peat the clyster. If the disorder continue three or four hours, give 
one ounce of tincture of opium, in three gills of Holland gin. When 
the horse begins to recover, he will lie quiet, without starting and 
trembling ; and if he continue in this quiet state an hour, you may 
conclude that the danger is over. Dress him down well, and give 
him a small quantity of warm water, if he will drink it; bed him 
down well, cover him to keep him warm, and then leave him to get 
a little rest. You must consider that the disorder has left a soreness 
on him, both within and without ; therefore, make him a little gruel, 
with a pint of red wine in it ; and if any skin be knocked off about 
his eyes, or his huck-bones, rub it with the bottle recommended for 
bruises. 

Sometimes the Cholic is received into the stomach, and does not act 
so violently, nor cause the horse's pains to be so strong. You may 
best judge of this by his motions: — he will draw his four feet together, 
lay himself down, stretch out his feet and head, throw his head back, 



1<7 THE COMPLETE FARRFER. 

end often put Lis nose to his chest : after standing a little, he will lie 
down again as before. When the Cholic is easier, he will lie for an 
hour or more together, with his feet stretched out and his head thrown 
back, or with his nose upon his ribs. This is caused by bad meat, or 
bad water, or both : sometimes by drinking hard water when hot, or 
by a change from soft grit water to limestone or iron water, or by the 
break of a storm. I have had five or six horses under my care in 
this disorder in one day, at the break of a frost, by drinking ice, or 
snow water. Sour grains, sour grass, dry meal, dust, bad hay, and 
many other things, cause this disorder. Give the following, which is 
almost a certain cure in two hours. 

1 oz. of Spirits of Sweet Nitre. 

1 do. of Spirits of Nitre. 

1 do. of Tincture of Opium. 

1 do of Sweet Oil. 

All to be given together in a gill of warm ale. Bed the horse well 
down, and leave him that he may get a little sleep, after which he will 
get up, and fall to his meat. This is one of the best medicines that 
has yet been found out. It has saved hundreds of horses, and will 
save hundreds more, if rightly applied. 

THE BILIOUS OR INFLAMMATORY CHOLIC. 

Symptoms. This kind of Cholic, besides most of the symptoms of 
the former, is attended with a fever, great heat, panting, and dryness 
of the mouth. The horse also generally parts with a little loose dung, 
and a little scalding-hot water; which, when it appears blackish, or 
reddish, indicates an approaching mortification. 

CURE. — Take three ounces of Senna, and one ounce of Salt of Tartar ; infuse them 
in one quart of boiling water nearly an hour; then strain it off, and add two ounces 
of Lenitive Electuary, and four ounces of Glauber's Salt. Mix them when hot, or they 
will not dissolve. 

If the disorder be not removed by the above medicine, but, on the 
contrary, the fever and inflammation continue to increase, attended 
with a discharge of flesh-colored matter, the event will probably be 
fatal ; and the only medicine likely to prevent it, is a strong decoc- 
tion of Jesuit's bark, a pint of which may be given every three hours, 
mixed with a gill of red port wine ; or you may give one ounce of 
the powder of bark with the wine. Or, if these cannot be got easily, 
give four ounces of tincture of rhubarb in three gills of red port 
wine. Also give a clyster every two hours, made of two new-laid 
eggs, well broken, and two ounces of London or Venice treacle, in 
one quart of milk. Give it warm. 

If the horse recover, it will be proper to give him a gentle purge 
or two in a week after. Take 

1 oz. Rhubarb, in Powder. 
J do. Jalap, do. 

Work them up into a ball with syrup of buckthorn, and give it to 
the horse, with warm water to work it off. 



THE COMPETE FARRIER. 17 



THE DRY GRIPES. 



Symptoms. This disorder mostly proceeds from costiveness, and 
is discovered by the horse's frequent and fruitless attempts to dung, 
the blackness and hardness of the dung, the frequent motion of hia 
tail, the high color of his urine, and his great uneasiness. 

Cure. The first thing to be done is to draw the dung out of the 
fundament, with a small hand, as far as you can reach, and then give 
the following. 

4 oz. of Castor Oil. 

4 do. Tincture of Senna. 

£ do. Oil of Juniper. 

Give them all together, and then the following clyster. 

Boil a handful of Marshraallows and Camomile Flowers in a quart of water, then strain 
it off, and add two ounces of Linseed Oil, or Pale Oil. 

If the horse do not mend, repeat both the drink and the clyster. 
During this disorder the horse must not have any dry food; but 
boiled linseed, and scalded bran, with warm water to drink. Gentle 
walking exercise is a great means to cause the physic to work ; but 
be careful of cold. 

From the account that I have given of the different species of the 
Cholic, the reader will be abundantly convinced how necessary it is 
to be acquainted with each, that he may be able to give proper medi- 
cines, and to relieve the creature's excruciating pains. He should 
carefully avoid all hot, violent medicines, which always prove hurtful 
in every species of this disorder, and frequently fatal. Nor is it any 
wonder that horses treated in that manner should die, for such medi- 
cines stimulate the neck of the bladder, augment the heat of the 
blood, (before much too great,) and inflame the bowels, by which a 
mortification is brought on, and the horse is lost by the very means 
used for his recovery. 

Sharp fits of the Gravel are sometimes taken for the Cholic ; but 
should this happen, the drink recommended for the Cholic will also 
be proper for the Gravel. 

WORMS AND BOTS. 

Much has been said concerning Worms in horses, and but little 
understood. I have often been astonished at grooms, farmers, and 
farriers, not having a better knowledge of them, for there are more 
horses killed by these nauseous vermin than by any thing else ; and 
many are kept weakly and low in flesh by them. 

I have opened horses that have been destroyed by them: some 
have had their stomachs eaten through, and others have had their 
bowels so full of them, as to have the inner coat eaten entirely off. 

A horse in high keep is not so subject to these vermin as a pc*\r 
one that is worked hard and badly fed. 

Horses are subject to five sorts of worms, and perhaps to many 
more, but I shall only describe to you three, which are the moit 
common. The worst sort to destroy are long, round worms, re- 
sembling earthworms, but smaller at the tail; they have a seam all 

2 



18 THE COMPLETE FARRIER. 

t.he length of their bodies, and are very hard : these are called Round 
Worms. The next are small worms, about the size of a sewing 
needle; they have reddish, flat heads, having nine feet on each side, 
and are called Ascarides : — these are also very troublesome to horses. 
The third sort are short, thick worms, called Bots : their seat La 
mostly at the stomach ; but when horses get any food that they are 
fond of, they fill themselves so full, that they lose their hold, and 
come along with the dung to the fundament, and there catch hold 
and stick to the end gut, partly out of the horse; — this happens 
mostly in spring, when they get the juice of fresh grass. 

It is well known that horses which have many worms can never 
thrive, or carry much flesh. If the breeding of these vermin were 
prevented, it would add much to the strength of the horse ; and it 
might be done by giving him a decoction of bitter herbs, such as 
wormwood, in spring. It may be boiled, or steeped in hot water, and 
given two or three times a week. Or a decoction of wormwood, 
buckbean, gentian root, and camomile flowers, (of each a large 
handful, boiled in a sufficient quantity of water, and given as above,) 
will answer the end. 

Symptoms. The symptoms which indicate worms are various, as 
the animals are different, and seated in different parts of the body. 
When the Bots are seated in the strait gut, they are never dangerous* 
but are often thrust out with the dung. They generally come in tho 
months of May and June, and scarcely ever continue in a horse above 
a fortnight. But when they breed in the stomach, they often cause 
convulsions, and even death. The Bots that breed in the stomach 
are about the size of a large maggot, composed of circular rings, and 
have little, sharp, prickly feet along the sides of their bellies, by means 
of which they fasten themselves to the part from whence they derive 
their nourishment, to prevent their being loosed from such adhesion 
before they come to maturity; and as they drain the coats of the 
stomach like leeches, it is no wonder that they often throw the horse 
into convulsions, which terminate in death, unless the cause be re- 
moved. The violent agonies of the creature are the only indications 
of their existence. The other kinds of worms are more troublesome 
than dangerous, and are discovered by the following signs : there is a 
white fur on the end of the strait gut; the horse is lean and jaded ; 
his coat is rough and staring : and if you rub your hand backward on 
the hair, a white scurf will rise, as if he had been surfeited; and 
though he eats with a remarkable appetite, he does not thrive, He 
often strikes his hind-feet against his belly, and is sometimes griped, 
but without the violent pains that attend the cholic, or stranguary ; 
for he never rolls or tumbles, but is uneasy, often laying himself 
down quietly on his belly for a little while, and then rising and be- 
ginning to feed. But the sujest symptom is when the horse voids the 
worms with his dung. 

Ct;re. Many medicines have been given to destroy these vermin, 
without knowledge or judgment, and even contrary to common reason. 
lome give coarse sugar for that purpose, but, in my opinion it will 
caihe 1 - increase than destroy them; although a few will fill them 



THE COMPLETE PARRIER. 19 

selves so full as to loose their hold, and to come away with the dung. 
I advise all who have horses nearly eaten up with worms, not to give 
every foolish nostrum that people prescribe, but something that is 
likely to destroy them. Take — 

1 oz. of Socotrine Aloes. 

1 dram of Calomel, 8 drams to an oz. 

1 dram of Oil of Aniseed. 

2 drains of Powdered Ginger. 
I oz. of Syrup of Buckthorn. 

Beat all up together in a mortar till the aloes are well broken, and 
the whole is brought into a paste ; which give in the morning, fasting, 
and to fast one hour after ; also give warm water, and walking exer- 
cise till wrought off. (It will not work the first day.) Be careful that 
the horse be open in his body befoz*e you give the ball. In grass time 
you will have nothing more to do than to give it, and to put the horse 
where he can get water. This dose is for a pretty strong horse, so 
you must add or diminish according to size. This dose must be re- 
peated as need requires, but not within seven days. It will destroy 
most kinds of worms; but the hard, round worms require different 
treatment, as they are the worst of any to get rid of. To destroy 
them, give the following. 

1 dram of Calomel, 8 drams to an oz. 

6 drams of Jalap. 

6 drams of Rhubarb, in powder. 

Wrought up into a paste with conserve of hips, and two days after 
give the above ball. Or the following: 

1 dram of Calomel, 8 drams to an oz. 
1 oz. of dried Foxglove Leaves, powdered. 
\ oz. of Worm Seed, powdered. 
1 oz. of Jalap, in powder. 

To be given in three gills of malt liquor from the mash-tub. If 
the above be given every week for three weeks together, you may be 
sure that most of the vermin will be expelled. If the medicines be 
given in the house, let the food be light and opening, and warm water 
for two days, with walking exercise. 

I advise all who have horses troubled with worms, to give savin, 
dried and powdered, before they give the worm physic. If one ounce 
a day be given for a week before, in a mash of bran, it will be much 
better. The above ball is good for many disorders besides worms. 

THE YELLOWS, OR JAUNDICE. 

This disorder is very common in horses, and sometimes it is either 
unknown, or overlooked, till it gets much worse to cure. A young 
horse is easily cured, but an old one is bad to cure. Some people 
may say, How can a horse have the Jaundice, when he has no gall-blad. 
der ? I answer, Though, he has no gall-bladder in sight, he has a large 
vessel in the liver which answers the same end. We may here observe 
the handiwork of GcJ in placing a horse's gall-bladder differently 
from those of other animals, when we consider that the horse is the 
swiftest and most laborious creature in the world; so that if the gall- 



20 THE COMPLETE FARRIER. 

bladder had been placed on the live: it would always have been 
exposed to injuries. 

Symptoms. The white of the eyes is yellow, also the inside of 
the mouth, the tongue, and the bars in the mouth, are of a dusky 
yellow ; the horse is dull, and refuses all kinds of food ; a slow fever 
is perceived, which increases with the yellowness ; the dung is often 
hard and dry, and of a pale yellow color ; the urine is commonly of 
a dark, dirty brown, and when it has settled, sometimes looks like 
blood : the horse stales with pain and difficulty ; and, if the disorder 
is not checked, becomes in a short time unable to jstir about. When 
this disease gets strong hold of a horse before proper medicines are 
applied, it is often fatal, or it brings on some other disorder as bad, or 
worse than itself. 

Cure. Bleed plentifully, and as this disease is always attended by 
a costive habit of body, it will be proper to give a clyster or two be- 
fore you give the physic. A clyster may be made of one ounce of 
camomile flowers, boiled in a quart of water with two ounces of 
Castile soap. Then give the following ball. 

4 drams of Indian Rhubarb. 

2 do. of Saffron. 

6 do. of Socotrine Aloes. 

1 oz. of Castile Soap. 

To be brayed in a mortar with a little syrup of buckthorn, and 
made into two balls ; one to be given the last thing at night, and the 
other the first thing in the morning ; and give plenty of warm water 
to work them off. If the disease is obstinate and will not yield to the 
above, give the following ball. 

. 1 dram of Calomel, 3 drams to an oz. 
1 oz. of Barbudoes Aloes. 
1 do. of Venice Soap. 
1 do. of Turmeric. 
1 dram of Oil of Juniper. 

All to be brayed in a mortar with a little syrup of buckthorn, and 
made into two balls ; one to be given at night, and the other in the 
morning, with plenty of warm water, and walking exercise till 
wrought off. 

If the horse is better after the first medicine, repeat it, for it is much 
safer than the last ; but if not, the last may be given, and repeated as 
need requires ; but be careful not to give it in less than six days 
distance. 

If, after giving one dose of the last ball, you give the following 
powders every other day in celandine tea, if it can be got, or in warm 
ale, you will find them very useful in removing the complaint. 

2 oz. of Salts of Tartar. 

1 oz. of ^Ethiop's Mineral. 

3 oz. of Turmeric. 

These powders are proper to be given after either of the former 
doses. 

There are so many prescriptions given for this disorder, that a 
horse's life is endangered by them, for although the things given by 
many people may do the horse no hurt, yet the disorder is getting 



THE COMPLETE FARRIER. 21 

stronger hold, and opening the way for others to follow ; so that I ad- 
vise all into whose hands this little treatise may fall, to give the medi- 
cines herein recommended a fair trial ; and I hope they will seldom 
be disappointed of a cure. 

THE STAGGERS 

This disease is a grievous one indeed. Farriers generally divide 
it into two heads, — The Heart Staggers and the Head Staggers ; but 
they are both one. It is caused by the liver making blood so fast that 
the cavity of the heart is overloaded and the blood flies up the neck 
vein till the head is overloaded too: and if relief cannot be obtained, 
the horse soon dies. 

Symptoms. The most common are, drowsiness, watery and some- 
what full and inflamed eyes, a disposition to reel, feebleness, a bad 
appetite, the head generally hanging down, or resting on the manger. 
There is little or no fever, and the dung and urine are very little 
ultered. The horse soon begins to reel, and falls down, and sometimes 
is so outrageous as to bite every thing in his way. 

Cure. In the first place, bleed him well as soon as you possibly 
can, by striking the veins in several places at once, and taking away 
four or five quarts at one time ; and, in order to raise up his head and 
shoulders, support them with plenty of straw. If he survive the first 
fit cut several rowels, give him clysters at night and morning, made of 
barley-water and a little sweet oil and salt ; and blow up his nostrils 
a little Cayenne pepper, or white hellebore. Also give him — 

4 drams of Bark. 
16 grains of Turbeth Mineral. 
£ oz. of Camphor. 

Give it in a little warm ale. If the horse be outrageous, give him — 

1 oz. of Tincture of Opium. 
1 gill of Syrup of Poppies. 
1 oz. of Tincture Guaiacum. 

Be careful not to let him knock his head, for it will increase the 
disorder. If he get through the first fit, give him two ounces of crocus 
metallorum every day, to thin his blood, for fear of a relapse. It will 
be proper to give him the following ball once a month for some time 
after. 

l oz. of Rhubarb, in powder. 

| do. of Jalap. 

1 dram of Calomel, 8 drams to the oz. 

To be made into a ball with syrup of buckthorn. This ball will 
be of great use in thinning the blood, and preventing a return of the 
disorder ; for when a horse has had one fit of it, he is very likely to 
have another, if care be not taken to prevent it. 

CONVULSIONS, OR THE STAG EVIL. 

Of all disorders to which horses are subject, this is the worst, and is 
pcarcely discoverable till the horse falls down raging mad. It seizes 
him all at once, without any previous warning. He raises his head, 



22 THE COMPLETE FARRIER. 

with his nose toward the rack, pricks up his ears, and cocks his tail. 
In this posture he continues, and those who do not understand the 
disorder never suppose that he ails anything of consequence. But 
other symptoms soon convince them of their mistake ; for his neck 
grows stiff, cramped, and almost immovable ; his jaws are locked and 
every tendon in his body becomes stiff. If he can get his mouth open, 
he will bite any thing that comes in his way ; and if he live a few days 
in this condition, several knots will arise on the tendinous parts of it. 
Every muscle is so much cramped and extended, that the horse looks 
as if he were fastened to the place, with his legs stiff, wide, and stag- 
gering, and the skin drawn so tight over every part of his body, that 
it is almost impossible for him to move ; and if you attempt to make 
him walk, he will be ready to fall at every step, unless he be well 
supported. At the same time his eyes are so fixed by the contraction 
of the muscles as to give him a dead look. He snorts and sneezes 
often, pants continually, and his shortness of breath increases till the 
distemper takes a favorable turn, or the horse falls down and dies. 

Cure. In the first place, bleed plentifully, unless the horse be old 
and low in flesh, or taken from some hard duty, and then you must 
not take so much blood. After bleeding, give the following ball, if 
you can get it in, but the horse is very often jaw-locked till nothing 
can be got in but by a clyster-pipe put between his fore and axle 
eeth. 

^ oz. of Assafoetida. 

\ oz. of Gum Guaiacum. 

\ oz. of Gum Camphor. 

Make them up into a ball with honey, and give one of these balls 
every twelve hours, for two days, if you can get them in ; and if not, 
dissolve them in a little hot beer, and give them with the clyster-pipe. 
(Be careful to powder the Gums.) Then make an ointment or lotion 
of the following. 

1 oz. of Oil of Spike. 
1 oz. of Oil of Amber. 
1 oz. of Oil of Bricks, 
oz. of Spirits of Sal Ammoniac. 

Shake them well together, and rub the jaws just below the ears, 
where they lock into the upper chap ; also rub the small of the back 
well, where the cross bones are fixed to the back bone. 

In this, as in most other disorders, the body should be kept gently 
open with laxative purges and emollient clysters. When the jaws 
are so locked that you cannot get any thing in, do not open them by 
force, for that would increase the disorder instead of relieving it. 

Sheep skins, newly taken off, and laid with the flesh side to the 
horse, will sweat him greatly, and by that means draw a quantity of 
water from the blood : indeed, there are few things that will relieve a 
locked jaw more : but if they be laid on the loins, they must not lie 
above three hours at a time before they are turned with the wool side 
to the horse. You may keep the skins on twenty-four hours if you 
change sides every two or three hours. 

If the horse cannot take either food or water in at his mouth, he 
must be supported by clysters, made of barley-water and milk, and 



THE COMPLETE FARRIER. 2J 

given both at the mouth and the fundament. I once supported a large 
waggon-horse in this manner for twelve days, and he recovered. 

Convulsions are caused by different things, but often by bots in the 
stomach ; for these destructive vermin suck up the juices that should 
feed the blood, and bring it into a thin, bad state ; indeed they are 
sure to destroy the horse by one means or other when there are a 
great number of them in the stomach. I therefore wish all who have 
a horse troubled with them, to destroy them before they destroy the 
horse. 

When you suspect that these vermin are the cause of the disorder 
and they generally are, give the ball recommended to destroy bots. 
If the horse get better the first time, be sure to guard against a relapse, 
for you may depend upon it he will not get better a second time. 

Tapping under the jaws, and at the breast, is sometimes of great 
service in this disorder, but I am of opinion that sweating with sheep 
skins will give relief much sooner. I wish to observe, before I con- 
clude this chapter, that the stiffness of the jaws continues sometimes 
after the convulsions have ceased; in which case the following medi- 
cine snould be given. 

Half an oz. of Matthews' Pill. 
Half an oz. of Assafcetida, 

Make them into a ball, and give it twice, (one day between the 
;,) and it will give relief. 

FEVERS. 

Horses are subject to few disorders which are not attended with 
more or less fever. 

Causes. Fevers are often brought on by sudden heats and colds ; 
by going out of warm stables into cold ones ; by being clothed, and 
then having the clothes stripped off ; and by being turned out to 
grass ; for many people turn their horses out to grass in the morning, 
and let them lay out, which is quite wrong : for when they are turned 
out to grass, to be there night and day, it is best to tu*rn them out at 
night, for then they will graze all night ; but if you turn them out in 
the morning, they will fill themselves in the day-time, and lie still all 
night, which is the way to catch cold. Most fevers are brought on by 
colds, therefore be careful to keep your horses as much as possible 
from catching cold. 

Symptoms. The horse is remarkably restless, ranging from one 
end of his rack to the other ; his flanks woik, his eyes appear red and 
inflamed, his tongue is parched, and his breath hot and of a strong 
smell. He often smells at the ground, he loses his appetite, and 
though he will take hay into his mouth, he does not chew it; his 
whole body is hotter than usual, but not parched : he dungs often, but 
little at a time, and it is generally hard, and in small pieces ; his urine 
is high-colored, and he generally stales with pain and difficulty; he 
is always craving for water, but drinks very little at a time ; and his 
pulse is much quicker than usual. 

Cure. Whenever a fever takes place, tie first part of a cure is 



24 THK COMPLETE FARRIER. 

bleeding, and if the horse be strong and in good condition, the quan- 
tity should be two or three quarts. When this has been done, give 
him a pint at a time of the following infusion, three or four times a 
day. 

4 oz. of Juice of Liquorice. 
4 do. of Liquorice Root. 
2 do. of Salt Petre. 
4 do. of Salt of Tartar 
8 do. of Good Raisins. 
2 do. of Aniseeds. 
2 drams of Saffron. 

Boil all these together in six quarts of water, for ten minutes, let it 
stand till cold, and then strain it orF. It is one of the best medicines 
for colds, coughs, hoarseness, or fevers, in either horse or man ; and 
if it were more known, and more used, it would give greater relief in 
violent colds than any thing yet found out. It is kind in its operations, 
opening to the lungs, works gently by stool and urine, is free in its 
passage, and opening in its nature. 

The liorse should scarcely eat anything but mashes made of linseed 
and bran, and given in small quantities. If he refuse them, let him 
have dry bran sprinkled with water, and put a little hay into his rack, 
as a small quantity of it will not hurt, him, and a horse will often eat 
hay when he will not eat any thing else. His water should be rather 
warm, and given often, but in small quantities ; and his clothing 
moderate, too much heat being pernicious in a fever. If he refuse his 
meat, do not let it lie before him, but take it away, and clean his 
rack and manger. If he be able to go about, a little walking exercise 
in the open air will be very proper, but you must be careful not to get 
him wet. 

This method, with good nursing, will often be sufficient to restore 
the horse to health ; but if he refuse his meat, more blood should be 
taken from him, and the drink continued ; and if his dung be hard 
and knotty, a clyster should be given. 

Taae Marshmallows and Camomile flowers, a handful of each, boil them in three quarts 
of water till one quart is wasted ; then strain it off, and add four ounces of Venice 
Treacle, and one pint of Pale Rape Oil. 

The above will make three clysters, to be given ai four hour's dis- 
tance. If his pulse continue high and quick, give the following. 

2 oz. of Nitre 

2 do. of Cream of Tartar. 

4 do. of Glauber's Salt. 

2 do. of Lenitive Electuary. 

Dissolve them in hot water, give one half, and the other half the 
day following. If the horse be very open in his body, you need no; 
give the above : but if dry, be sure to give him it. If he be very 
open, give him four drains of bark in a gill of red port. By pursuing 
this method, the horse will begin to recover, and will relish his hay, 
though his flanks will continue to heave for a fortnight. Nothing 
more will be requisite to complete the cure than walking him abroad in 
the air, and giving him plenty of clean litter to rest on in the stable. 

T lere is another and much worse kind of fever to which horses are 
rery subject, and which often proves fatal if not properly treated, vii. 



THE COMPLETE FAEKIER. 25 

A COMPOUND FEVER. 

Symptoms. The symptoms of this disease are — a slow fever, with 
great depression ; and sometimes inward heat and outward cold, and 
at other times heat all over, but not excessive. The horse's eyes are 
moist and languid ; his mouth is continually moist, so that he is not 
desirous of drinking, and when he does drink, a very little satisfies him ; 
he eats very little, and moves his joints in a loose, feeble mannner, 
grating his teeth very disagreeably ; his body is generally open, his 
dung soft and moist, and he stales irregularly, sometimes making little 
water, and at others a large quantity, which is of a pale color, and has 
very little sediment. 

Cure. In the first place, take from the horse a moderate quantity of 
blood. Let it not exceed three pints, but repeat the operation according 
to its strength, if there be any tendency to inflammation ; after this the 
nitre drink already described maybe given, with the following addition. 

1 oz. of Snake Root. 

3 drams of Saffron. 

3 drams of Camphor, dissolved in Spirits of Wine. 

The horse's diet should be scalded bran ; and linseed, boiled, and 
wrought up with bran. Also give him the best hay by a handful at a 
time. It is often necessary to feed him by the hand, for sometimes he 
is not able to lift his head to the rack. 

In this disease, drinking is absolutely necessary to thin the blood ; 
and therefore if the horse refuse warm water, he should be indulged 
with such only as has had the cold taken off. This may be done with 
a hot iron, or by letting it stand in the pail in a warm stable ; and this 
will be better than forcing warm water on the horse's stomach. If 
this method do not prove sufficient, but the fever shall continue to 
increase, the following balls should be given immediately, as the 
danger augments every hour. 

1 oz. of Camphor. 
| do. Gum Myrrh. 

1 do. Squills. 

2 drams of Castor. 

Make them up into two balls, and give one at night, and the other 
in the morning. If no better in a short time, give the following 
infusion. 

1 oz. of Snake Root. 

2 do. Gentian Root. 
2 do. Lemon Peel. 
2 drams of Saffron. 

Boil these well together in three quarts of watei, and give a pint 
once a day. If the above ball fail of success, give the following. 

1 oz. of Camphor, dissolved in Spirits of Wine. 
1 do. Sal Ammoniac. 
1 pintof good Vinegar. 

Put them all together, and stir them about till the fume subside. 
This is for two doses to be taken at twelve hours' distance, diluted with 
water. There is not perhaps a more powerful and effectual medicine 
known than camphor in all kinds of putrid fevers, it being active, 
attenuating, and particularly calcinated to promote urine and perspi- 



2t> THB COMPLETE FARRIER. 

ration, the two principal outlets by which relief is to be obtained ; and 
if this medicine were more often given than it is, it would be a greater 
credit to the farriei, and give greater relief to the horse. 

If the horse be costive, clysters, or an opening drink, should be 
given; and should he purge moderately, be careful not to suppress it; 
but if it continue so long as to enfeeble the horse, give him a little 
red port wine and bark. 

Also observe to let the animal drink plentifully, for that will greatly 
promote the operation of the above named medicnies, as both the dis- 
order and the medicines will cause a th'rst. If-the horse can bear 
walking about, a little open air will be very proper, but be careful to 
keep him well covered. 

Particular regard should also be paid to his staling, which, if it 
flow in too great, quantities, must be repressed by proper astringents, 
and by giving him lime-water ; and, on the other hand, if he stale so 
little as to occasion a fulness or swelling in his body and legs, give 
him the following drink. 

1 oz. of Nitre. 

2 do. Castile Soap. 

1 do. Venice Turpentine. 

2 drams of Oil of Juniper. 

Make them into a ball with liquorice powder, and give them at 
twice twenty-four hours' distance. These balls may be given as 
occasions may require, and are very proper to convey oft* the greasy, 
slimy matter from the passage of the urine, and to settle swelled legs. 

These are the best methods of management, and will generally 
prove successful ; but sometimes art will fail, and the horse will dis- 
charge a greenish or a reddish gleet from his nostrils, and sneeze 
very frequently ; he will continue to lose his flesh, become hide- 
bound, refuse his meat, swell about his joints, and his eyes will 
appear fixed and dead ; a purging also ensues, ana a dark-colored 
foetid matter is discharged. When these symptoms appear, the case 
may be considered desperate, and all attempts to save the horse will 
be fruitless. 

In this disorder you must take care not to let the horse eat too 
much, for his diet should be light, and in small quantities at once, 
and increased gradually as he may gain strength. When his skin 
feels kind, his ears and feet continue moderately warm, his eyes look 
lively, his nose remains clean and dry, his appetite mends, he lies 
down with ease, and dungs and stales well, you may conclude that 
the danger is nearly over, and that nothing more is needful but care 
to complete the cure. On the contrary, by overfeeding you will run 
the risk of bringing on a bad surfeit, and the horse may be, accord, 
ing to the old saying, — killed with keeping. 

Sometimes the fever returns ; so that every one who has a horse in 
a fever should be careful of cold for some time after, as his blood is 
l°ft in a thin bad state. His legs will probably be subject to swell; 
and if the swelling leave a dimple when you press your finger upon 
it, it is a ^ign of a dropsy ; in which case it will be advisable to put 
t**j rowels on each side of his belly, and to give him half-an-ounce 



i 



THE COMPLETE FARR ,ER. 27 

oi the best yellow bark every day for some time. At other times u 
fever leaves a running at his nose, of a thin yellow, glueish matter, 
and small swellings below his ears and chaps. 

When you find these' symptoms, giv^e one ounce of crocus metalo- 
rum every day in a mash of bran, and rub the swellings with mercu. 
rial ointment. 

In the year 1796, 1797, and 1798, a distemper prevailed among 
horses, attended with a strong fever, which in a few days turned to a 
putrid fever. Some horses had their eyes so much inflamed as to 
stand goggling out of their sockets; they had also swellings all over 
their bodies, and in two or three days dropped down dead. At that 
time I observed that the horses which had camphor given them got 
the best through. Some horses which have had this distemper, have 
a relapse of it in the spring season; and it is difficult to eradicate. 

Care should be taken to keep the head and throat warmer than 
common, as the kernels about the latter are swelled ; and also to pro- 
mote a free perspiration, and to increase the running at the nose, 
which has the same effect in horses as spitting has in the human spe- 
cies; but never syringe the nose, as is often done, to promote the 
discharge, for it has an effect quite contrary, and lessens the quantity 
of matter instead of increasing it ; and checking the discharge of mat- 
ter at the nostrils often causes swellings of the glands, and other bad 
consequences. Let me once for all remind you that all such dis- 
charges are critical, and thrown off by nature to free herself from the 
load that oppresses her, and consequently should by all means be 
promoted. 

A BROKEN WIND. 

This disorder may sometimes be prevented, but cannot be cured ; 
and it has hitherto been as little understood as any to which a horse is 
subject. People have had various opinions respecting its cause, and 
why some horses are more subject to it than others ; but of all the 
opinions hitherto delivered, that of Mr. Gibson seems the best founded. 
He thinks that it is frequently owing to the hasty or injudicious feed- 
ing of young horses for sale ; by which means the growth of the lungs 
is rapidly increased, and all the contents of the chest so much en- 
larged, that in a few years the cavity of the chest is not sufficient to 
contain them when they are expanded to perform their proper func- 
tions. Nor is this opinion founded upon bare conjecture, for horses 
that have died broken-winded have been opened, and the lungs and 
other parts found too large for the chest. But although hasty feeding 
is often the cause of this disorder, yet it is not always, for a narrow 
chest may cause it. It has been observed that horses rising eight 
years old are most subject to it. The reason of this is, because a 
horse arrives at his full strength and maturity at that age. At six he 
generally finishes his growth in height; then he lets down his belly, 
and spreads, and all his parts gain their full size ; so that the pressure 
on the lungs ao i .i,*- midriff is now increased. 

Also, when the aorse catches cold and gets a dry cough, the lungs 



28 THE COMPLETE FARRIER. 

are much larger than they ought to be, and at that time riding sharp. 
ly is enough to force the lungs so hard against the Midriff as to force a 
passage through it.* 

A few years back some people pretended to cure the complaint by 
boring; but none were ever cured by it yet, nor ever will be. They 
made a nole above the fundament, to let out the wind that was forced 
thorough the midriff into the bowels; and this caused the horse to be 
continually discharging wind out of the place ; so that the pretended 
cure was worse than the disease. 

Dissections of horses that have died broken-winded, have sufficiently 
proved the truth of the above observations ; and that not only the 
lungs, together with the heart and its bag, were preternaturally large, 
but also the membrane which divides the chest; and that the midriff 
was remarkably thin. In some horses the disproportion has been so 
great t-hat the heart and lungs have been almost twice their natural 
size, yet perfectly sound : and without any ulceration whatever, or 
the least defect in the windpipe or in its glands. 

From these observations it abundantly appears, that the enormous 
size of the lungs, and other contents of the chest, by hindering the free 
action of the midriff, is the principal cause of this disorder; and as the 
lungs are found much more fleshy than usual, they must consequently 
have lost a great part of their spring and tone. 

Therefore, as this disorder is caused by the largeness of the lungs, 
we may conclude that it is one of those diseases which cannot be cured 
by art; and that the boasting of those who pretend to cure it are built 
on a sandy foundation. They may indeed relieve the complaint, but 
will never cure it, for an absolute cure is not in the power of any hu- 
man being. All that I can do is to lay down some rules which have 
a great tendency to prevent this disorder, if pursued in time : and some 
remedies that will afford relief when it has taken place, and render 
the horse capable of performing good service, notwithstanding his 
misfortune. 

Symptoms. The first symptom of a Broken Wind is an obstinate 
dry cough, which is neither attended with sickness nor loss of appetite; 
but, on the contrary, with a disposition to foul feeding, eating the litter, 
and drinking large quantities of water. 

Prevention. When a horse is troubled with an obstinate dry 
cough, and eats his litter, it will be necessary to bleed him, and to 
give him the mercurial physic already prescribed, repeating it two or 
three times. A fterwards give the following balls for some time, which 
have been found of very great service. 

4 oz. of Gum Ammoniacua , 

4 do. Galbanum. 

4 do. Assafoetida. 

4 do. Squills. 

i do. Saffron. 

6 drams of Cinnabar of Antimony. 

Make the whole up into balls with ho^ey and a little liquorice 

* The Midriff, or Diaphragm, is that which is commo «y called the Skirts, and separate* 
foe Chest (where the lungs lie) frm tha Bowl's. 



THE 0OMiM,ETE FARRIER. 29 

powder, and give one about the size of a pullet's egg e/ery other 
morning. This is a very good ball for a dry cough. 

Some horse-dealers give broken-winded horses a quantity of shot 
when they carry them into the market for sale, and I suppose it is to 
draw the bowels, from the midriff, so that the disorder may not be dis- 
coverable ; but at the same time there is great danger of killing the 
horse. 

But it is not enough to give proper medicines; the horse's diet 
should also be carefully attended to at the same time, if we would 
hope for success. In order to this, the horse should eat very sparing- 
ly of hay, which, as well as his corn, should be wetted with chamber 
lie, which is much better than water; and in this disease the horse is 
always craving after water. Chamber-lie is best for this purpose, be- 
cause of the volatile salts which it contains, as they are a means of 
removing the thirst. For the same reason, garlic is very efficacious 
in this disorder. Two or three cloves being given in each feed ; or 
three ounces bruised, and boiled in a quart of milk and water, and 
given every morning for a fortnight, has been found very serviceable. 
So easy a remedy should never be neglected ; for by warming and 
stimulating the solids, and at the same time dissolving the tenacious 
juices which choke up the vessels of the lungs, it greatly relieves this 
complaint. 

Moderate exercise should never be omitted ; and although broken- 
winded horses are not able to endure much labor the first summer, 
yet many have been found less oppressed the second, and scarcely 
perceptibly affected the third, being then able to perform a long jour- 
ney, and to endure great fatigue. A horse kept constantly in the 
field, when not in work, will be able to do good service for many 
years. 

It may not be improper to observe that those who hope to cure a 
broken-winded horse, or even one that is troubled with an obstinate 
cough, by putting him to grass, will find themselves wretchedly mis- 
taken ; for on his being taken into the stable and fed with dry meat, 
he will be much worse than before ; and some that had only a dry 
cough when they were put to grass, have returned broken- winded. 
Therefore always remember that if you cannot keep a horse of this 
description constantly abroad, it is best not to put him to grass at all, 
as, instead of curing, it will tend to augment the disorder. 

In short, the grand secret of managing horses of this kind, consists 
in having particular regard to their diet and exercise. A moderate 
quantity of hay or corn, and water, should be given at a time, and 
the former constantly moistened, to prevent their wanting too much 
of the latter. They should have moderate exercise, but never any 
that is violent. By this method, and giving the following ball once 
every fortnight or three weeks, the horse will be able to do gocd ser- 
vice for many years. 

6 drams of Socotrine Aloes. 

2 do. Myrrh. 

2 do. Galbanum. 

2 do. Ammoniacum. 

2 oz. of Bayberries, U> powder 



30 THE COMPLETE FARRIER. 

Make the whole into a ball with a little oil of amber, and a suffi- 
cient quantity of syrup of buckthorn. This ball operates so gently 
that there is no need for confinement, except a little the day following 
that on which it is given. The horse must have warm mashes and 
warm water, and the utmost care must be taken to prevent his catch- 
ing cold. 

A CONSUMPTION. 

It is hard to lay down proper rules on this head, oi ;o give the 
owner or farrier such an explanation of the disease as may lead him 
to a proper knowledge of it. It has been above a match for many ; 
but having in my long experience had many under my care in this 
dangerous disorder, I hope to be able to explain it as well as most 
people. 

Symptoms. A Consumption is a want of nourishment, and a waste 
of flesh. The horse's eyes look dull, his ears and feet are commonly 
CO , he coughs violently by fits, sneezes often, and groans at the same 
v ime; he gleets at the nose, and sometimes throws a yellowish matter, 
rn rrer curdled, from his nose ; his flanks have a quick motion, and he 
has ittle appetite to hay, though he will eat corn, but he grows hot 
site: it. 

Causes. Damp stables are most likely to bring on this disorder, 
•J ough it may be brought on by many other things. In my time I 
have known many horses suffer much by damp stables. I knew a 
gentleman who had two valuable horses, and he built a new stable for 
them, without any air-holes above their heads. He put the horses in 
as soon as the stable appeared dry, and their heat soon caused the 
walls of the place to sweat, and to run down with water, by which 
means both the horses were thrown into a Consumption, and died. I 
mention this to caution others. 

Cure. The first, and indeed one of the principal things to be done, 
is to bleed in small quantities. A pint, or at most a pint and a half, 
is sufficient at once, and the operation is to be repeated whenever the 
breath is more than commonly oppressed. We are assured, by dis- 
section, that in a Consumption both the glands of the lungs and the 
mesentery are swelled, and often indurated. The only medicines 
that can be depended upon, are mercurial purges and ponderous al- 
teratives. I have already given you examples of the former, and the 
following is a formula of the latter. Mix 

4 oz. of Crocus Metalorum. 

1 do. Calomel pp. 

1 lb. of Gum Guaiacum, finely powdered. 

Give about an ounce every day in a mash of bran and linseed. 
I v eland liverwort, a handful boiled in a gallon of water, is much 
better to make mashes up with than water ; for it is a great helper of 
the blood. But it is to be observed that nothing will answer so good 
an end as spring grass ; so that if the horse be afflicted with this dis- 
ease in spring time, turn him out to grass as soon as you can ; and if 
the nights be cold, turn him out in the day-time, and take him in at 



THE COMPLETE FARRIER. 31 

nights. Salt marshes are the properest places wnen they can be me 
with. 

When a horse has had this disorder, he can never more bear cold 
and hard service as before. If the horse be of small value, the above 
medicines will be thought too expensive, and you may give tar-balls, 
or tar water. Fine Norway tar is- of very great use in diseases of the 
lungs, and is to be made into balls in the following manner, which will 
be useful either in consumption, a cough, or an asthma, and help them 
as soon as most drugs that are made use of. 

1 lb . of fresh Norway or Stockholm Tar . 
4 oz . of Garlic. 

Bruise the garlic, and work them up with liquorice powder into a 
paste, and give two ounces at a time every other day. 

A SCOURING, AND OTHER DISORDERS OF THE 
INTESTINES. 

You should consider well what the Scouring proceeds from, — 
whether it is caused by foul feeding, bad water, hard exercise, sudden 
heat or cold, an overflowing of the bile, or a weakness of the intestines. 

If it is brought on by foul feeding, or bad water, it should not be 
stopped, but rather be promoted ; for it should be remembered that 
nature by this means throws off the seeds of disease, and evacuates 
the morbid matter which would otherwise be retained to the great 
disadvantage, and perhaps to the destruction, of the animal. The 
great difficulty therefore consists in knowing when these discharges 
sire critical and salutary, and when detrimental and noxious ; for the 
former must not be checked, but the aid of medicine must be called 
in to put a stop to the latter. 

For instance, — if a healthy horse, upon taking cold, or after hard 
riding, over-feeding, or at the beginning of a slight fever, have a mod- 
erate purging, you must be careful not to stop it, but on the contrary to 
promote it, by an open diet, and plenty of warm gruel. But if this 
purging continue a long time, with smart gripings, and the inner skin 
of the bowels come away with the dung, and the horse loose both his 
flesh and his appetite at the same time, recourse must immediately be 
had to proper medicines ; among which the following are very effectual. 
I do not wish any one to give medicines upon merely hearing the names 
of the drugs, but to know in what manner the drugs will operate 
before they give them. Take — 

1 oz. of Rhubarb, in powder. 

2 drams of Myrrh, do. 
2 do. Saffron. 

Give altogether in warm ale, and warm water for two days aftei. 
This dose will only work gently, but will be of great service to the 
horse, as it will bring away the slime which lodges in the small intes- 
tines, and correct the bile of the stomach, which is the cause of this 
disorder. If the horse be a good one, I would advise the owner never 
to refuse giving medicines because of the expense, as they will soon 
make him ample amends by their salutary effects ; and sometimes the 



32 THE COMPLETE FARRIER. 

desire of saving a few pence in a medicine has been the destruction of 
a useful horse. 

But when the disorder continues, and the horse's flesh keeps wasting 
away, recourse must be had to astringents. Tormentil-root, (dried, 
and pounded in a mortar, and put through a sieve,) is one of the best 
astringents yet found out, though very little known. I heartily wjph 
my fellow-creatures would make more use of this valuable root tlu.ii 
they do. The dose is from an ounce to an ounce and a half. I believe 
that this valuable root has done more good in my time, in stopping 
loosenesses and bowel complaints, than any thing else. I have known 
many people who have spent pounds on physicians, and got no relief, 
and whose strength has been nearly gone, and their lives despaired of, 
but by taking the above in red wine, they have been restored. The 
dose is from half a dram to a dram, in a little red wine, four or five, 
times a day. But you may say, Where is this root to begot, as few of 
the druggists keep it ? I believe they do not ; neither do I wish you to 
apply to them for it, for they will give you something else that will na\ 
answer the purpose. It may commonly be found in dry land, whem 
whins and brackens grow. It flowers all summer long ; its top is small, 
something like southern wood ; its flowers are small, yellow, an I 
numerous ; it is seldom above half a foot high ; and its root is strong : 
in loose land and old cams as thick as a finger, but in fast-bound lan<J 
not so strong. 

When the purging is attended with a fever, a different method of 
practice is necessary. Take — 

\ oz. of Rhubarb, in powder. 
1 do. Lenitive Electuary. 
\ do. Camphor. 
1 do. Powdered Ginger. 

To be given in a pint of old ale. This is a very proper medicine 
when the horse is troubled with a fever ; but if he have no fever upon 
him, give the following. 

1 oz. of Tormentil Root, in powder. 
£ do. Japan Earth, do. 

Give these in red wine-, or if that be thought too expensive, in oak 
Dark tea. Japan earth is a great healer of the bowels. Repeat this 
last medicine three or four times, to allow it a fair trial ; giving th« 
horse at the same time but little exercise, for he cannot then bear much. 
Should this medicine fail, and the disorder increase instead of decreas- 
ing, which may be known by his flanks and belly being full and 
distended, and his appearing to suffer strong griping pains, give the 
following clyster. 

\ oz. of Isinglass, dissolved in a quart of warm Milk. 
2 do. Mithriilate. 

Sometimes the flux is so violent as not to be overcome by the pre- 
ceding medicine, when recourse must be had to the following. Boil 
a handful of oak bark in a quart of water, strain it off, and add — 

2 oz. of Tormentil Root, in powder. 
2 do. Bole. 



THE COMPLETE FARRIER. &? 

Give them all together. This should be repeated once a day, for 
two or three days. 

The practitioner should carefully attend to the symptoms that ac- 
company this disorder ; for if the discharge be attended with an acrid 
mucus, or slime, the griping pains being very severe, there is then a 
sure indication that the common lining of the bowels is wasted away ; 
and then it will be necessary frequently to inject the following clyster, 
warm, in order to prevent the fatal consequences which will otherwise 
soon ensue. 

Four ounces of Starch, dissolved in a quart of water; half a pint of sweet oil, three yolks 
of Eggs, well broken; and a little loaf Sugar. 

This will do for twice, at four hours' distance. 

It is also necessary to observe that some horses, from having weak 
stomachs and bowels, throw out their aliment undigested, and their 
dung is habitually soft, and of a pale color ; they also feed sparingly, 
and are always low in flesh. This complaint, which often proves 
fatal at last, may be removed by the following medicines. 

6 drams of Socotrine Aloes. 
3 do. Rhubarb, in powder. 
1 do. Myrrh. 
1 do. Saffron; 

Make all up into a ball with syrup of ginger. After the above 
stomachic purge shall have been given two or three times, a pint of 
che following infusion should be given every morning. 

Take Gentian, Winter Bark, Orange Peel, Columbia Root, Aniseeds, Fennel Seeds, and 
Camomile Flowers, of each a small handfull and of Orris Root, two ounces. 

Boil all together in a gallon of strong ale ; and when cold, cleai it 
otf, and add one pint of spirits of wine. If this be thought too strong, 
two quarts more of ale may be added. This is an excellent cordial 
both for healing and strengthening the stomach and bowels. These 
are the best methods of treating the above disorders, to which horses 
are often subject, and in which they are often lost for want of proper 
treatment. 

But before we conclude this chapter, it is necessary to observe that 
the scourings which succeed long-continued sickness, such as the 
Farcy, Putrid Fevers, or an inflamed state of the blood, where bleed- 
ing and other proper evacuations have been neglected, too often ter- 
minate fatally; especially when the creature discharges a foetid slime, 
and when the same matter gleets from his nose ; for in these cases the 
blood is dissolved, and the whole mass of the fluids is become putrid, 
and discharges itself by those drains. 

DISORDERS OF THE KIDNEYS AND BLADDER. 

Inflammation of the kidneys and bladder are sometimes brought on 
fay other disorders, and often by sprains, hard exercise, catching cold 
when hot, or from the want of proper care. 

Symptoms of a Hurt in the Kidneys. The horse is very weak 
in the back and loins; he stales with difficulty, is faint, eats very little ; 
his eyes appear languid, and of a dead color; his urine is foul, 



34 THE COMPLETE FARRIER. 

thick, and often bloody, especially after a violent strain ; he cannot 
move backwards without great pain, which may be seen at every 
attempt. It is sometimes hard to distinguish an inflammation from a 
sprain, or what is called, " tifled in the back." There is no method 
but observing the gait of the horse. If he have got tifled in the back, 
he will be hard put to it to keep from coming down behind, and indeed 
will oft come down ; his eyes will look rather red, but his urine the 
same as before. A tifle lies in the marrow, or pith, of the back. 

Cure. The principal remedy for a hurt in the kidneys is bleeding, 
which should be done pretty plentifully, a<s by this means an inflam- 
mation will be prevented ; and if you have reason to think that the 
inflammation is already begun, from the creature's being feverish, and 
staling with great difficulty, the operation should be repeated ; for 
unless the inflammation be prevented, or immediately removed, the 
consequence will be fatal. But, although bleeding is the principal, it 
is not the only remedy, for rowelling is of great service. Put a rowel 
on each side of his be-lly, and give the following balls twice a day, in a 
pint of the decoction of marshmallows, having an ounce of gum arabic, 
and an ounce of honey dissolved in it. 

1 oz. of Salts of Prunella. 
6 drams of Spermaceti. 

2 oz. of Castile Soap. 

Add as much honey as will make a ball ; and if the urine be bloody, 
an ounce of Japan earth must be added. If the fever continue, you 
must repeat the bleeding, and give emollient clysters, and the cooling, 
opening drink before recommended for Fevers, till it abate. These 
methods will often prove successful, but sometimes the disease is too 
obstinate to be overcome by them, and the urine still passes with pain 
and difficulty. Recourse must then be had to the following bally, and 
they must be repeated twice a day till the horse stale without pain, 
and his urine become clear, and without any purulent settlement. 

1 oz. of Venice Turpentine. 

1 do. Castile Soap. 
6 drams of Nitre. 

2 do. Myrrh, in powder. 

Make the whole into a ball with honey, and wash it down with a 
strong decoction of marshmallows. 

These are the best methods of treatment in this disorder, and will 
in general prove successful. Sometimes indeed this malady is too 
strong for the power of medicine, and then the urine continues turbid, 
and daily becomes of a deeper color, with a foetid smell, — a sure sign 
that the kidneys are ulcerated ; which generally terminates in a 
consumption, and the creature becomes absolutely incurable. 

In treating of the Cholic I have recommended a method for removing 
the Stranguary, when it proceeds from wind, or from dung pressing 
upon the neck of the bladder ; hut sometimes it proceeds from an 
inflammation, and a retention of urine. 

Symptoms of an Inflammation of the neck of the bladder. 
When a horse is seized with a Stranguary from the above cause, he 
will make frequent motions to stale, standing wide and straddling, 



THE COMPLETE FARRIER. Hii 

his bladder being full of urine, and his flanks distended ; he will be 
uneasy, constantly shifting his hind feet, and often giving clicks in 
his motions ; he also sometimes hangs his head, and then raises it 
suddenly. 

Cure. First bleed largely, and then give the following. 

1 oz. of Spirits of Sweet Nitre. 
4 do. Syrup of Marshmallows. 
1 do. Venice Soap. 

Cut the soap small, dissolve it in a gill of hot water, put the above 
to it, and give it to the horse. Repeat it every eight hours. Also 
dissolve an ounce of gum arabic and an ounce of nitre in a gallon of 
water, and let him drink plentifully of it. If he will drink it of his 
own accord, it is best ; but if not, horn a little into him, for it will 
greatly tend to remove the cause of the disease, and consequently to 
terminate the effects. 

There is a disease of the kidneys, viz. a Diabetes, or profuse stal- 
ing, which produces effects directly opposite. This disorder is seldom 
cured in old horses, as their fibres are become rigid, and unable to 
perform their office, — a misfortune which all the power of medicine 
cannot remove. But in young horses this disease is often cured, and 
the following method will generally be attended with success. 

Cure of a Diabetes. In order to cure this threatening disorder, 
great care must be taken not to let the horse drink too much water, 
and never to give him any moist food. Attention to these particulars 
will go a great way towards a cure ; and instead of giving him com- 
mon water to drink, give him lime-water ; to make which, take about 
three pounds of lime, unslacked, put it into a clean vessel, and for 
every pound of lime pour six quarts of water into it ; let it stand 
three days, take the scum off the top, and give the horse the water to 
drink. (Be careful not to stir the lime at the bottom of the vessel.) 
This is a very clear, wholesome water, and very good for many dis- 
orders. In the mean time the following medicine should be given. 

1 oz. of Peruvian Bark. 

1 do. Japan Earth, in powder. 

1 do. Irish Slate, do. 

Give these in lime water, and you may repeat it as often as 
needful. 

Some Farriers give strong alum possets two or three times a day ; 
but this kind of treatment cannot be proper, for the alum takes so 
fast hold of the juices of the stomach, that if the horse were not ill, 
it would be enough to make him so. But if the above are properly 
given, they will not disappoint expectation. 

THE MOLTEN GREASE. 

This is so common a disorder, that it ought to be well understood j 
but, alas ! like many others, it is often mistaken for something else. 
This disease is a melting down of the fat of the horse's body, caused 
by violent exercise in very hot weather ; or if the horse be full of 
flesh, it may happen in cold weather, 
will brinsr on this disorder. 



8t> THE COMPLETE FARRIER. 

Symptoms. It is always attended with a fever, heat, restlessness, 
starting and trembling, inward sickness, and shortness of breath. 
Also the horse's dung is extremely greasy, and he often falls into a 
scouring. His blood, when cold, is covered with a thick scum of fat, 
of a white or yellow color, but generally the latter. The congealed 
part, or sediment, appears like a mixture of size and grease, and is 
so extremely slippery that it will not adhere to the fingers ; and the 
small proportion of serum is also slippery and clammy. The horse 
soon loses his flesh and fat, the latter being probably dissolved into 
the blood. Such as have sufficient strength to sustain the first shock, 
commonly become hidebound, and their legs swell greatly ; and in 
this state they continue till the blood and juices are rectified ; and if 
that is not done effectually, the Farcy, or an obstinate Surfeit, is 
generally the consequence, which cannot be removed but with tho 
utmost difficulty. 

Cure. In the first place, bleed pretty plentifully, and repeat tht* 
operation two or three days successively ; but take care that you takm 
only a small quantity at a time after the first bleeding, as otherwise 
the creature would be rendered too weak to support himself, and hut 
blood too poor to be easily recruited. As soon as he has been bleni 
the first time, let two or three rowels be put in, and the emolliem 
clysters prescribed for Fevers be thrown up daily, to mitigate th* 
fever, and to cleanse the intestines from the greasy matter. At th« 
same time plenty of water-gruel should be given him, and sometime,* 
a small quantity of water, with a little nitre dissolved in it. Thi 
latter will be of great service, as it will prevent the blood from run 
ning into grumous concretions, and proving the source of innumera 
ble disorders, if not causing a total stagnation, and consequently th't 
death of the animal. 

The horse must be treated in this manner till the fever be entirely 
gone, and he shall have recovered his appetite ; and then it will b» 
necessary to give him three or four purges, a week distant from each 
other, which will make him stale and perspire plentifully, and at thn 
same time bring down the swelling of his legs. The following in 
well calculated for the purpose. 

6 drams of Socotrine Aloes. 

4 do. Gum Guaiacum, in powder 

2 do. Ginger. 

2 do. Jalap. 

2 do. Oil of Juniper. 

To be made into a ball with syrup of buckthorn. By pursuing 
this method the horse will soon be recovered, for this purge will mend 
his appetite and increase his flesh. If it be too weak, add a dram 
more of aloes. It will bring down his swelled legs, and carry away 
all the superfluous matter that clogs the blood. When you give the 
physic, be careful to give plenty of warm water all the time. 

A SURFEIT. 

Some people pronounce every ill-thriven horse surfeited, whethei 
it is so or not. A Surfeit is nothing more than the effects of an ill- 



THE COMPLETE FARRIER. 37 

cured disease, and therefore what is called a Surfeit in horses is very 
different to the disease which bears that name in the human body ; 
the latter being the beginning of a disease, and the former the re- 
mains of one. 

Symptoms. The horse's coat will stare, look of a rusty color, and 
even appear dirty, although the greatest pains have been taken to 
keep him clean. His skin will be covered with scales and dandriff, 
which will appear like meal among the hair, and when cleaned off 
will be followed by a continual succession of the same matter, occa- 
sioned by the perspiration being obstructed. Some horses will be 
covered with a kind of scab, sometimes moist, attended with heat and 
inflammation, and the humor so very sharp, and causing so violent an 
itching, that the creature is incessantly rubbing himself, and by that 
means making himself raw in different parts of his body. Some 
horses have neither scales, dandriff, nor scab, but look dull, sluggish 
and lazy. Some are hidebound, and others afflicted with flying pains 
and a temporary lameness. In short, the symptoms are very various, 
and almost as numerous as those of the scurvy itself. 

Causes. The causes are as various as the symptoms. Some horses 
are surfeited by high feeding and want of proper exercise ; which 
produce a bad digestion, and generate ill humors. Some are surfeit- 
ed by unwholesome food ; some by hard riding ; some by drinking 
cold water when they are hot; some by bad or improper physic, and 
some by standing in stables through which the rain drops, or by lying 
\ret. But as many also get surfeited by standing when hot at the 
doors of public-houses, such bad practices should be guarded against. 

Cure. If we duly consider the nature of Surfeits, their cure will 
be much more easily performed. All allow that they arise from a 
bad state of the blood ; but how is this to be remedied ? By bleeding 
and purging. But this must be done in a very gentle manner. Take 
about a quart of blood, and the next day give the following ball. 

1 oz. of Socotrine Aloes. 

1 dram of Calomel pp. 

2 do. Oil of Aniseeds. 

Add as much lenitive electuary as will make it into a ball. Give 
plenty of warm water to work it off. Repeat both bleeding and physic 
in eight days ; and when the last dose is wrought off, give him six 
ounces of the cordial balls in a little warm ale. Also give a spoon- 
ful of the following powders every day in a mash. 

4 oz. of Flour of Brimstone. 
4 do. Crocus Metalorum. 
4 do. Nitre, in powder. 

Mix all up well together. By persevering in the above method you 
may cure the most inveterate surfeit, and if any scabs or runnings 
appear in the skin, rub them with the following. 

4 oz. of Sulphir Vivum. 
2 do. White Copperas. 
2 do. White Hellebore, in powder. 

Mix these powders with churn-milk, rub the places affected well, 
and the grievance will soon disappear. Sometimes a Surfeit settles in 



33 THE COMPLETE FARRIER. 

the legs, and they swell much, and then break out and run very much. 
When this is the case, two taps put into the lower belly will be found 
of great use. Staling balls should be given every third day, and 
plenty of warm water to work them off with. Make the staling-balta 
as follows. 

1 oz. of White Rosin. 

4 drams of Castile Soap. 

2 do. Oil of Juniper. 
2 do. Camphor. 

4 do. Saltpetre. 

Bray all well together into a paste, in a mortar, and form it into a 
ball. The above is only for one dose, but you may make as many as 
you think proper at once, and keep them for use. Give them at night, 
and they will work off the next day. These balls are of great service 
in many of the disorders of horses, and some of the best staling-balls 
yet found out. 

By following the above directions, a cure will generally be pel- 
formed. Sometimes in this disorder little knots break out, especially 
upon the hind parts of the horse, and these knots throw out a little 
matter. When this is the case, you must rub them with strong mer- 
curial ointment. Sometimes these little tubes, or pustules, have living 
insects in them : but by rubbing them as I have just directed you, they 
will be destroyed, and the cure completed. 

THE HIDEBOUND. 

This disorder is too often brought on by the horse being worked too 
hard, and badly kept ; although this is not always the case. When 
the skin of a horse sticks so close to his ribs that it appears immovable, 
the horse is said to be hidebound. But this is not properly a disease, 
but rather a symptom, being often caused by previous disorders, such 
as fevers, convulsions, surfeits, worms, or disorders of the kidneys or 
ungs. 

Cure. As the hidebound may proceed from various causes, it ii 
necessary to determine the cause, before such medicines can be ap. 
plied as will remove it. 

If it owe its origin to hard labor and want of food, rest and plentj' 
will soon remove it. If it be caused by worms, worm medicines must 
be applied ; or if it be left by any imperfectly-cured disorder, the fol- 
lowing drink must be given. 

2 oz. of Aniseeds, in powder. 
2 do. Ginger, in powder. 

1 do. Grains of Paradise. 

2 do. Mustard. 
2 do - Turmeric. 

All to be powdered, and to be given in warm ale, fasting, and to fast 
two hours after. Give warm water two or three times. Bleeding, 
tapping, and physic are also necessary, when the hidebound is left by 
any disorder. 

THE MANGE. 

This disorder is more shameful than dangerous, for you cannot go 
abroad with a scabbed horse without being hissed at, neither is it 



THE COMPLETE FARRIER. S9 

proper ; for this disease is so infectious that every horse -hat may 
come near it will be in danger. 

The Mange is too well known to need a long description, '.hough 
some have been mistaken, and have taken a hot, itching eruption for it. 

Symptoms. At first it is confined to the skin, but by long continu- 
ance it vitiates and pollutes the blood. The skin is generally thick, 
and full of wrinkles, especially about the mane, the loins, and the 
tail; and the little hair remaining on those parts stands erect. The 
ears and eyebrows are commonly naked ; and when the limbs are 
affected, they have the same appearance ; but at the same time the 
horse is not raw, nor does the skin peel off as in a surfeit. 

Causes. The Mange is generally taken by infection, for it is so 
very catching, that if a horse be put into a stable where one in the 
mange has stood, before it be thoroughly cleansed, he will hardly fail 
being infected. But though infection is the general, it is not the only 
cause of the Mange. Low feeding, and running long abroad in cold, 
pinching weather, without sufficient provender, will cause horses to 
have the Mange. 

Cure. When the horse has been infected by another, the disorder 
is not so obstinate as when caused by starvation, for the blood will not 
be in so bad a state. When you think a horse has got the Mange, 
apply the folio wing where you think it needful, and it will cure it at 
ine beginning without much trouble or expense. 

4 oz. of Sulphur Vivuin. 
4 do. White Copperas; 
4 do. White Hellebore Root, in powder. 

Mix all together in two quarts of churn-milk, and rub the places 
well. By this method you may cure most scabs of short duration ; 
but when once the mange has got great hold, it will require sharper 
treatment. Make the following for one horse. 

4 oz. of Sulphur Vivum. 

2 do. White Hclleboie Root, in powder. 

2 do. Blue Stone Vitriol, in powder. 
I do. Verdigrise, in powder. 

4 do. Flanders Oil of Bays. 

3 gills of Whale Oil. 

Mix all well together, and rub the horse well with it all over in the 
sun, if in Summer, but before a fire if in winter. In Summer you 
must also turn him out to grass after rubbing, but in Winter keep him 
warm in the house. You must be careful to wash your saddles and 
bridles, cart-gears, stands, mangers, racks, &c, well with quick-lime 
and chamber-lie ; for if yot do not clean all that the horse may have 
used, the infection will remain. You will find the above a certain 
cure, if managed rightly, for I have cured hundreds with it, and I do 
not remember one instance of its failure. 

At the same time give freely of flour of sulphur and liver of anti- 
mony ; and if you have a number of horses infected, be sure to rub 
them all together. 

Some people say that when a horse is rubbed for the scab he will 
infect others, but I am of opinion that he will not, neither do I re- 
member an instance of it. 



40 THP. COMPLETE FARRIER. 



THE FARCY, OR FARCIN. 



There have been many opinions respecting tiis disease. Some 
authors reckon five kinds; but although there are so many different 
branches, yet four of them have the same root. The Water Farcy 
is different from the others, and therefore I shall put it afterwards by 
itself. There is a scurvy which horses are subject to, and which is 
often called a Farcy ; but it is no such thing, for there are only the 
two kinds of the Farcy, which I here shall treat upon. Horses are 
often said to have the Farcy when they Jiave not, for sometimes when 
people do not know the proper name of a disorder, they call it the 
Farcy. The true Farcy is a disorder of the blood-vessels, and gen- 
erally follows the course of the veins, and when inveterate, thickens 
their coats and integuments in such a manner that they become like 
so many cords. 

Symptoms. At the beginning of this disorder a few small knobs, 
or tumors, resembling grapes, are found on the veins,, which are so 
painful to the touch that the creature shows evident marks of uneasi- 
ness on their being pressed with the finger. They are at first very 
hard, like unripe grapes, but in a very little time they grow soft, and 
break and discharge a bloody matter, and become very foul and un- 
toward ulcers. This disease appears in different peaces in different 
horses. Some show it first on the head; some on the external jugu- 
lar vein; some on the plate vein, extending from thence downward, 
on the inside of the fore-leg, towards the knee, or upwards towards 
the brisket. In some it first appears about the pasterns, on the sides 
of the large veins, and on the insides of the thighs, extending towards 
the groin ; in others on the flanks, spreading by degrees towards the 
lower belly ; and some horses are nearly covered all over the body at 
once. 

Cure. When the Farcy attacks only one part of a horse, and that 
where the biood-vessels are small, it may be easily cured ; but when 
the plate vein is affected, and turns corded ; and especially when the 
crural veins, withinside the thigh, are in that condition, the cure is 
very difficult, and the creature is rarely fit for any thing but the low- 
est work after it. Therefore those who depend upon some particular 
medicine, and flatter themselves with being able to cure every species 
of the Farcy with it, will find themselves wretchedly mistaken; for 
different medicines are needful, according as the disease is superficial 
or inveterate. The former is easily cured, for sometimes moderate 
exercise is sufficient; but the latter requires knowledge and experi- 
ence ; and sometimes baffles the most skilful, and defies the whole 
power of medicine. 

From the above description of this disease it appears that it is of 
the inflammatory kind, and that the blood-vessels are affected. Copi- 
ous bleedings are therefore absolutely necessary, especially if the 
horse be fat and full of blood. This evacuation always checks the 
progress of the Farcy in its beginning, but its good effects soon van- 
ish, especially if the horse be low in flesh. After bleeding, mix thw 
folio wins:. 



THE COMPLETE FARRIER. 41 

4 oz. of Cream of Tartar. 

4 do. Liver of Antimony. 

4 do. Lenitive Electuary. 

4 do. Castile Soap 

2 drams of Calomel, 8 drams to an oz. 

ifaice these into balls, and give two ounces a day for some time. 
While giving these balls, dissolve a little nitre in the water given to the 
horse to drink. These medicines will keep his body open, and allay 
the inflammatory heat of his blood, which is the principal cause of 
the disease ; and while they are given inwardly to remove the cause, 
let the tumors be rubbed twice a day with the following ointment. 

4 oz. of Elder Ointment. 
4 do. Flanders Oil of Bays. 
2 do. White Vitriol. 

1 do. Red Precipitate, 

2 do. Sugar of Lead. 

Beat all well together into an ointment, and keep it for use. This 
ointment will soon disperse the tumors, which will leave small bald 
spots on the skin, but the hair will grow again in time. If the tu- 
mors break, and run a thick, well-digested matter, it is a sign that 
the disease is conquered, and the horse will soon be well ; but it will 
be necessary to give him two ounces of liver of antimony every day 
for a fortnight, and two ounces every other day for a fortnight after, 
in order to sweeten his blood, and disperse the small bunches that 
remain. 

This method will never fail when the small veins only are affected ; 
and a short time will complete the cure. 

But when the Farcy affects the large blood-vessels, the cure is far 
more difficult. Let the practitioner always attempt it at the begin- 
ning of the disease, as he then will have fewer difficulties to encoun- 
ter; for delay renders that almost impossible to be overcome which 
at first might have been easily conquered. Therefore, when the plate 
or crural veins are corded, lose no time, but bleed immediately on 
tie opposite side, and apply to the distempered vein the following 
mixture, which is proper to dress the wounds with, but not before they 
are broken out. 

1 dram of Corrosive Sublimate. 
1 oz. of Spirits of Salt. 

Powder the sublimate, and put it into a bottle, and put the spirits of 
salt upon it to dissolve it ; then add two ounces of vinegar, by degrees. 
This is a very proper mixture to dress the ulcers with ; but if it can- 
not be easily got, take — 

6 oz. of Oil of Turpentine. 

3 do. Oil of Vitriol. 

Put the pot in water with the turpentine in it, and pour the oil ot 
vitriol in, a little at a time, and keep stirring it till it shall have sub- 
sided. If the Farcy be situate in the loose and fleshy parts, such as 
the flanks and the belly, the mixture should consist of equal parts of 
oil of turpentine and oil of vitriol ; but when the seat of the disease is 
in the parts which are less fleshy, the proportions above are best cal- 
culated to perform a cure. The medicine must be used in the follow 



42 THE COMPLETE FARRIER. 

ng manner. Rub the parts affected with a woollen cloth, and then 
apply some of the compound oil to every bud and tumor. Continue 
this method twice a day, and at the same time give cooling physic 
every other day. The balls and nitrous draughts before mentioned 
will answer the intention. By this treatment the tumors will be di- 
gested, and the cords dissolved ; but it will be necessary to give liver 
of antimony to complete the cure, and to prevent a relapse ; and also 
to dress the sores, when well digested, with a mixture of bees' wax 
and oil, which will heal them, and smooth the skin. 

Sometimes the disease will not yield "to this treatment, especially 
when situate near the flanks or the lower belly. In that case it will 
be necessary to bathe the parts with the compound oil, as far as the 
centre of the belly j and at the same time to give a course of antimo- 
nial medicines. 

The following composition is stronger than the last, and on that ac- 
count is often used when the disease is obstinate. 

4 oz. of Spirits of Wine. 
2 do. Oil of Turpentiue. 
4 do. Oil of Vitriol. 

2 do. Vinegar. 

Mix all together, with the caution before directed. When this 
method fails, and the disorder becomes inveterate, try the following, 
which is recommended by an eminent practitioner. 

£ pint of Linseed Oil. 

3 oz. of Oil of Turpentine. 
3 do. Oil of Peter. 

2 do. Oil of Bays. 

£ do. Oil of Origanum. 

| do. Strong Aquafortis. 

2 do. Barbadoes Tar. 

2 drams of Tincture of Euphorbium. 

Mix all together with caution, as before directed. This medicine 
must be rubbed on the tumors and corded veins once in two or three 
days, observing that if the mouths of the ulcers are choked up, or so 
thick as to confine the matter, to open a passage with a small hot iron ; 
and also to destroy the proud flesh, which may be kept down by 
touching it occasionally with oil of vitriol, aquafortis or butter of 
antimony. 

In this disorder, these are the best ways of proceeding that have yet 
been discovered ; but it is to be considered as an obstinate one, and is 
sometimes very bad to cure. It has hitherto baffled many an able 
practitioner, and it is to be feared will baffle many more ; for when the 
blood has got into such a corrupted state, it bids defiance to medicines. 

The ingenious Dr. Brackden recommends the strong mercurial 
ointment for rubbing the cords and tumors with before they break ; 
and in order to disperse them when they are broken, to dress the sores 
with a mixture composed of equal parts of Venice turpentine and 
quicksilver. If the mouth become sore by this means, a gentle purge 
should be given to prevent salivation. This is doubtless a very good 
method, and if care be taken, will often prove effectual. He also 
recommends the following alterative ball. 



THE COMPLETE FARRIER. 43 

1 oz. of Liver of Antimony. 
I do. Bezoar Mineral. 
4 do. Cordial ball. 

Beat all well together, and give about the size of a walnut every 
day for some time, fasting, and to fast two or three hours after. 

I have given you the best prescriptions that I am able to give, and 
such as will not fail to cure if properly applied, if the horse be not in- 
curable. I have been more particular in treating of this disease, be- 
cause it is common among horses, and very often managed improperly 
by those who pretend to cure it. Such therefore as have valuable 
horses in this disease, would do well to be careful whom they employ, 
and assiduous in observing the methods they make use of to cure it, 
if they do not think proper to attempt a cure themselves. But in my 
opinion they may do it better themselves, by following these directions, 
than most farriers they can employ. 

THE WATER FARCY. 

This disease varies very much from the last, and would more 
properly be called a Dropsy than a Farcy. There are two kinds of 
this disorder, but they are nearly of the same nature. One of them 
is produced by indisposition terminating in the skin, as is often the 
case in epidemical colds ; the other is a true dropsy, where the water 
is not confined to the belly and limbs, but is found in different parts 
of the body, and a great number of soft swellings appear. When 
you press the finger pretty hard upon any of the swelled parts, or 
under the belly, it will leave a dimple, as if it were pressed on paste. 
When you find those swellings under the horse's belly, or on any part 
of the body, you may take it for granted that he has got the Dropsy, 
or what is called the Water Farcy. 

This disorder mostly proceeds from foul feeding, or a continuance 
of very wet weather in the end of Summer. It mostly happens in 
ihe autumnal season, and greatly injures the health of such horses 
as stay abroad, rendering the blood sluggish and viscid. 

Cure. Wherever the swellings appear, make scarifications, that 
is, holes through the skin. This may be done by a short fleam ; and 
if you have not one short enough, put a collar made of a piece of 
leather on it. If the swelling be under the belly, strike a good many 
holes in at a time, but be careful to avoid the veins. By this means 
a great quantity of water will run out. Taps in the brisket are also 
often of great service. I have fleamed horses four or five times 
before I could get the swelling to subside. When the water has 
subsided, the blood is left in a bad state, to remedy which a gentle 
purge should be given two or three times, eight days distance, to re- 
cover the crasis of the blood, and brace up the relaxed fibres of the 
whole body. Lime-water is very proper, with a little nitre in it, and 
let the horse's food be warm mashes of bran, with a little malt in it. 
His keep must be increased by degrees. The disorder mostly hap- 
pens to young horses that have not been used to high keep. You 
must give one of the following balls every day, omitting the time 
when the physic is working. 



44 THE COMPLETE FARRIER. 

2oz of Squills. 
1 do. Camphor. 

1 do. Castile Soap. 
^ do. Turpentine. 

4 do. Yellow Rosin. 

Make these into a ball with honey, and give one ounce at a time. 
These balls will work the water off by urine. When the horse has 
been treated in this manner till the water is evacuated, and he begins 
to recover, give him a pint of the following infusion every day for a 
fortnight, fasting, and let him fast one hour after each dose. 

4 oz. of Gentian Root. 
4 do. Black Hellebore. 

2 do. Jesuit's Bark. 

4 do. Camomile Flowers. 
1 Handful of Centaury. 

Boil all together in six qurrts of water, for ten minutes, let it stand 
till cool, and then strain it through a cloth. This strengthening 
drink will brace the fibres, cause the fluids to circulate quicker, and 
complete the cure. 

SPRAINS. 

All kinds of Sprains resemble each other. They are a relaxation 
of the tendinous fibres, from the muscular parts being overstretched. 

A SPRAIN IN THE BACK. 

Sprains in the back are mostly caused by over- weighting the horse, 
or by his loosing his hind-feet on the side of a hill ; and sometimes 
by putting him back too quickly. There is much difference between 
a Sprain in the back, and what is called tifled in the back. Some- 
times a horse catches cold in his loins by having his clothes or his 
saddle taken oft' when he is hot, and being turned out of doors ; and 
some horses are subject to Rheumatics, which make them lame in 
many places, and are generally taken for Sprains. 

To cure a Sprain in the back, first bleed pretty freely, and then 
give the following drink. 

1 oz. of Tincture of Guaiacum. 
1 do. Balsam Capivi. 

1 do. Oil of Juniper. 

To be put into a quart of strong parsley-root tea ; half to be given 
at night, half in the morning, and plenty of warm water to work 
them oft*. 

Also lay a sheep's skin with the flesh side to his loins for six or 
eight hours, if he can bear it; and then turn the wool side to him, 
and let it stay on a day ; and when you take it off, sheet him well for 
fear of catching cold. Also make a plaster of the following. 

2 oz. of Oxycroseum. 
2 do. Paracellis. 

2 do. Red Dominion. 
2 do. Burgundy Pitch. 

Melt all together, and lay them on pretty warm, and put a little 
wool, clipped short, on the charge while hot, and then pour on a little 



THE COMPLETE FARKIER. 45 

cdd water to fasten the whole together. These are the best methods 
I am acquainted with. 

A SPRAIN IN THE SHOULDER. 

When the shoulder of a horse is sprained, he does not put out that leg 
like the other, but in order to ease it sets the sound foot firmly on the 
ground. When trotted in hand he forms a kind of circle with his 
lame leg, instead of putting it forward, and when he stands in the stable 
that leg is advanced before the other. 

There is what is called a Shoulder-slip, which is worse than a 
Sprain. When this happens the horse can neither lift his leg nor put 
it forwards. You may know this by the shoulder-blade standing 
higher than the other; but to discern that you must make him stand 
on the lame leg, for the leg he stands on will always appear a little 
higher than the other. The flesh will also shortly waste away from 
the shoulder-blade, which is a sure sign of a Shoulder-slip. When this 
accident has taken place, put a tap into the lame side of the animal's 
breast, and blow the shoulder full of wind with a pipe. When you 
have rinded the skin to put the tap in, hold the skin fast to the pipe, 
and blow the part that you have rinded full, and let some one draw 
the wind up into the shoulder with the edge of his hand as far as the 
top of the shoulder-blade, and then put in the tap, or rowel, and stop 
the hole up well with tow and salve. Give warm water for three days, 
and then open the place, stir the tap round, and rub the shoulder all 
over with the following liniment. 

2 oz. of Spirits of Wine. 

2 do. Sweet Oil. 

2 do. Spirits of Sal Ammoniac. 

Shake them well together, rub the shoulder well with the mixture 
every third day for some time, and if the horse do not get better with 
three or four times rubbing, use the following. 

2 oz. of Oil of Turpentine. 

1 do. Oil of Origanum. 

1 do. Oil of Bricks. 

Shake these up together, rub all on at a time, and walk the horse 
about a little afterwards. When near the sea, swimming in the salt 
water is very proper, and I have known swimming in fresh water be 
of great use. 

A Sprain in the shoulder point requires nearly the same treatment 
as a slip, but you need not blow it. When it is attended by inflam- 
mation, cooling mixtures, such as extract of lead and water." must be 
used. But when a swelling or an inflammation takes place, it is 
mostly caused by a hurt, or by a stroke from another horse. If there 
be no swelling, rub the shoulder point well with the following mixture 
every third day. 

1 oz. of Oil of Peter. 
1 do. Oil of Amber. 
1 do. Oil of Spike. 
1 do. Oil of Bricks. 

Shake these well together, and rub the shoulder point every othef 
day. If the horse be not better, take 



46 THE COMPLETE FARRIER. 

1 oz. of Oil of Turpentine. 

1 do. Oil of Origanum. 

1 do. Oil of Swallows. 

1 do. Oil of Amber. 

Shake these together, and rub the shoulder point well with them 
every third day ; and if the horse continue lame, recourse must be 
had to blistering. 

A SPRAIN IN THE COFFIN JOINT. 

This is often a grievous disease, and it. is difficult to discover where 
the lameness is. It is often neglected till the joint grows stiff, and 
then the horse pitches upon his toe, and is afraid of bearing any 
weight on his foot. If you press with your thumb in the hole in the 
horse's heel, and upon the cornet of his foot, you will soon discover 
whether the hurt is in the Coffin Joint. 

When people cannot tell the cause of a horse's lameness, they 
often say that he has got sprained in the coffin. In my opinion it is 
better not to doctor a horse than to apply stuff to you know not what. 
If people would have a little patience, most lamenesses would soon 
show themselves, especially a Sprain in the Coffin Joint, for it would 
raise a ring round the cornet of the foot, not much unlike a Ring- 
bone, but closer to the foot. 

The first thing to be done is to draw a little blood from the spurn 
vein, then mix an equal quantity of oil of bays, and oil of origanum, 
beat well together, and rub well all round, just above the hoof. Apply 
this for three or four days together, and if no better, you must have 
recourse to repeated blistering. 

A SPRAIN IN THE BACK SINEWS. 

This kind of sprain is more frequent among horses than any other, 
and is so common that I need not describe it, but only inform you how 
to cure it. 

If it be recent, bathe the leg with a little hot vinegar, or verjuice, 
with a little saltpetre dissolved in it, and put round it a proper ban- 
dage : or, curriers' shavings, wetted with a composition made of 
vinegar, spirits of wine, and a little tar, and laid on the swelling with 
a pretty tight bandage round them, will be of great use. Take it off 
once a day, and soak the shavings again, or get fresh. Injuries of 
this kind must not be expected to be removed immediately. Rest is 
absolutely necessary, and turning the horse out to grass would be of 
great service as soon as the swelling disappears, but not before. If 
these methods fail, the next thing is to blister; for I have known blis- 
tering succeed when all the former have failed. The last thing to 
have recourse to is firing. 

SPRAINS OF THE KNEES AND PASTERNS. 

The knees are naUe to many misfortunes besides sprains. The 
Speedy Cut is &jvu> by striking one foot against the other leg, just be 
low the knee, M>3 is frequently done by a horse that trots high. 



THE COMPLETE FARR1EK. 47 

•Sometimes it swells very much, and is taken for a sprain. Some- 
times horses get kicked by others, or meet with some other accident 
which causes a swelled knee, which is sometimes bad to remove. A 
poultice made as follows will have a great tendency to remove the 
swelling. Take 

4 oz. of Tar. 

A do. Spirits of Wine. 

3 do. Hogs' Lard. 

Melt these together over a slow fire, and be careful not to set fire 
to them, and put in as much linseed-meal as will make them of a 
proper consistence. This is a very good poultice for many other 
kinds of swellings, and although but little known hitherto, I hope 
that it will be found of great service. If any substance be left which 
will not give way to this method, you must lay on a little blistering 
ointment. 

LAMENESS IN THE STIFFLE. 

The Stiffle is the tenderest part of a horse, except the eye. How 
many horses have lost their lives by misfortunes in this part, and how 
many have been left lame by not being properly cured ! A horse 
that is lame in the stiffle generally treads on his toe, and cannot set 
nis heel to the ground without great pain and difficulty. When you 
find this is the case, bathe the part well with warm vinegar ; and if a 
puny swelling appear, foment it well with a woollen cloth wrung out 
of hot vinegar, wormwood and rosemary, having added half a pint of 
spirits of wine to a quart of the decoction. Let this operation be 
continued till the swelling is nearly gone. 

When a horse has got a stroke and cut by the heel of his shoe, 
great care must be taken to keep out the cold air, and to keep him 
from drinking cold water, especially in winter time ; for if the horse 
take cold, and an inflammation come on, there is reason to fear that 
death will follow. When you perceive that a horse has got a stroke, 
and is cut through the skin, bathe it well with the following mixture. 

2 oz. of Spirits of Wine. 

1 do. Spirits of Sal Ammoniac. 

1 do. Oil of Amber. 

Shake all well together, bathe the place well with it, and lay on a 
diachylon plaster with gum, in order to keep out the cold. If the 
horse grow very lame, and the place swell much, foment with the 
following. 

Take Wormwood, Elder Leaves, Camomile Flowers, Juniper Berries, ana Marsnma.'.ic"* 
Leaves, of each a handful, and boil them in two gallons of Chamber-lie. 

If the above cannot all be got, take double the quantity of jumpe; 
berries and camomile flowers, and foment for some time aa before 
directed ; and when you leave off fomenting, rub with the above 
mixture. Be careful to wrap the part up warm, and as soon as it 
comes to matter, dress it with basilicon ointment. If any brown lee 
appear, syringe tincture of Benjamin, or balm drops, into the wound. 
When a callous substance, or proud flesh appears, eat it off* with red 
precipitate. These are the best ways of curing a horse that has got 
lamed in the stiffle. 



48 THE COMPLETE FARRIER 

LAMENESS IN THE CUP-BONE OR WH I RLE BONE. 

A lameness in this part of the hip is discovered by the horse's drag- 
ging his leg after him, and dropping backwards on his heel when he 
trots. If the muscles of the hips only are injured, the lameness may 
be soon cured ; but if the ligaments of the cup are affected, or relaxed, 
the cure is often very tedious; and when the cup is full of glueish 
liquor, the cure is doubtful. I have known the ligament which holds 
the hip bone in the cup to be broken, and then the hip bone has come 
loose ; but this seldom happens, and when it does nothing can be done 
to relieve it. When a horse is lame in the cup-bone, rub him well 
with the following mixture. 

1 oz. of Oil of Amber. 

1 do. Oil of Bricks. 

I do. Oil of Origanum. 
1 do. Oil of Turpentine. 

Shake these well up, rub one half on the cup, and the other half the 
third day. I have known this mixture remove the complaint when of 
long standing; but if it fail, you must try what blistering will do. 
The last thing to be tried is firing. I have fired horses that have been 
lame above a year, and cured them by it. 

It is very easy to fire a horse in this part. Take the iron and mako 
a circle, eight inches in diameter, like a cart-wheel, with scores about 
an inch asunder. Cut nearly through the skin ; and if you do cu\ 
through in some places, it will be no worse. Then lay on the following 
charge. 

2 oz. of Oxycroseum. 

2 do. Paracellis. 

2 do. Red Dominion. 

2 do. Burgundy Pitch. ' 

Melt these all together, lay them on pretty hot, lay a little wool, 
clipped short; on before it cools, and then throw a little water on tc 
fasten all together. 

Sprains in the Fetlock, or anywhere in the limbs, may be treated 
in the same manner, and if the oils will not remove the substances, 
blisters will ; therefore I shall give you a recipe for a blister suitable 
for those complaints. Take 

4 oz. of Quicksilver. 
\ do. Venice Turpentine. 
2 do. Flanders Oil of Bays. 
J do. Gum Euphorbium. 

1 do. Spanish Flies. 

2 drains of Oil of Origanum. 

Rub the Venice turpentine and quicksilver well in a mortar for 
some time, and then put in the oil of bays and rub for some time 
longer, till the quicksilver is quite killed. Powder the gum and flies 
well, and then mix all together. When you lay the blister on, rub it 
well against the hair to get it to the bottom ; lay it on with a broad- 
pointed knife, and cover it with a cloth, or the horse will get his moutii 
to it. 

This blister will answer any purpose you want a blister for, but you 
must observe that there must be fifteen days between the times of lay- 
ing it on. 



THE COMPLETE FARRIER. 49 



THE BQNE-SPAViN. 



Although this is a common disorder among horses, yet it is little 
understood by either breeders or farriers. The Bone-Spavin is a 
bony excrescence, or hard swelling on the inside of the hock in a 
horse's leg, and sometimes owes its origin to kicks and blows, and 
sometimes to natural causes ; but in the former case it is much mere 
easily cured than in the latter ; and those that grow spontaneously on 
colts, or young horses, are not so bad as those that appear in horses, 
that have arrived at their full strength and maturity. In old horses 
they are generally incurable. 

Our horse-dealers and jobbers make a second kind of Bone-Spavin, 
which they call a Jack, but this is only a polished name for a Bone- 
Spavin, as there is no difference between the two. Some call it a 
Dry Knot, but still it is a Bone-Spavin. 

Sometimes the horse is very lame when the Spavin is first coming 
out, and when it has come out is better for some time, and then grows 
lamer again as the bone hardens. I would advise you to apply a 
blister as soon as you have any suspicion that a horse is likely to put 
out a Spavin, and to continue blistering, every fortnight, for some 
time, by which means you may stop a Spavin in a young horse. 

Cure. Mild medicines should be used if the horse is young, as they 
will in a short time wear the tumor down by degrees, which is much 
better than trying to remove it at once by severer methods, which 
often have a very bad effect, and produce worse consequences than 
those they were intended to remove. But in full-grown horses they 
are absolutely necessary, and accordingly various authors have given 
prescriptions for compounding medicines to answer the intention ; but 
I will not enumerate them here, as the blistering ointment given in 
the last chapter will be found to answer better for young horses thaE 
anything yet found out ; and for an old horse, or one that has come to 
his full strength, you may add a dram of sublimate, finely powdered, to 
two ounces of the blistering ointment, and stir it well up. 

Before these are applied, the hair must be cut off very close, and 
then the ointment laid very thick on the affected part. It is proper to 
make the application in the morning, and to keep the horse tied up to 
the rack all day without any litter; but at night he must be littered 
in order that he may lie down ; and to prevent the blister from coming 
off, put a white pitch plaster over it, and tie it on with broad tape. 

When the blister has done running, and the scabs begin to dry and 
peel off, it should be applied a second time in the same manner as be- 
fore, and the second will have a much greater effect than the first. 

When the Spavin has continued long, the blister will have to he 
often renewed, perhaps five or six times ; but it is necessary to observe 
that after the second time you must not be less than three weeks be- 
fore you lay on the third, or you will destroy the roots of the hair and 
leave the place bald. By these means Bone-Spavins may often be 
cured ; but when they fail, recourse must be had to firing. 

Before you fire a horse for the Bone-Spavin, be careful to take the 
vein out of the way, for it generally lies over the Spavin, and vou 

4* 



50 THE COMPLETE FARRIER. 

cannot fire deep enough to come at the callous substance without its 
removal. In order to destroy the vein, cut a nick through the skin 
upon it, just below the Spavin, and another just above it, and put a 
crooked needle under the vein, and tie both ends : then cut the vein 
across between the tyings, both above and below, and you may either 
draw the piece of the vein out or leave it in. 

Let the iron you fire with be pretty sharp ; cut four or five nicks 
upon the bone, and let the iron take hold of the superfluous bone, in 
order that it may waste away by mattering; and when you have 
done, lay on some white pitch, pretty hot, and put a cloth round it to 
keep it on. In three days open the place, and dress it with yellow 
basilicon. 

Some people put lunar caustic, or sublimate, into the places ; but 
it is a dangerous practice, and often lames the horse for ever. I wish 
those who have got a horse that has a Bone-Spavin to make a full 
trial of the directions here given, and I trust they will find them to 
answer the purpose as well as any hitherto found out. 

THE BLOOD-SPAVIN, OR BOG-SPAVIN. 

Many farriers and horse-dealers divide this disease into two heads, 
and give them different names; but to my certain knowledge they 
are both one, for I have proved it many ways. A Blood-spavin does 
not come by breeding from spavined mares, nor by being got by spa- 
vined horses, as the Bone-spavin does ; but you may safely breed out 
of a Blood-spavined mare, or have foals got by a Blood-spavined 
horse. 

In my opinion Blood-spavins are generally brought on either by 
Sprains, or hard labor when the horse is young, and sometimes when 
he is full-grown. 

The Blood-spavin, or Bog-spavin, is a dilation of the vein that runs 
along the inside of the hock, and forms a small soft swelling in the 
hollow part, which in time renders the creature lame, but seldom till 
the gelatinous matter becomes ropy, like melted glue in a bag, and is 
situate on the inside of the hough. Sometimes it goes through to the 
back part of the joint, and then it is called a thorough-pin. 

Cure. Soon as you discover the vein puffed up, or forming a bag, 
lay on some blistering ointment, and in four days after bathe the 
swelling well with hot vinegar, with a little saltpetre dissolved in it. 
Also put a bandage round it to disperse the swelling as much as you 
can. If this method do not succeed, you must make two incisions in 
the skin lengthwise, as the vein runs, one just above, and the other 
just below the joint, and lay the vein bare: then put the end of a 
buck's horn under it, raise it up, and fasten it in both places with 
waxed thread : then cut the vein in two at both places, within the ty- 
ings, and if you think proper, draw the vein out. This method of 
proceeding will cure most Bog-spavins at the beginning. Spring, or 
the back end of the year, is the most proper time for this operation, 
but the latter is preferable, as you can then "let the horse run iut 
most of Winter, which will be of great service to him. 



THE COMPLETE FARRIER. 5i 

If the above method fail of a cure, you may make an incision inis 
the bag with a knife, and let out the gelatenous matter, and then dress 
the wound with a digestive ointment till the bag be destroyed. Bui 
this is a dangerous method; and although it may answer in some 
cases, it will not in others. Should the joint run a joint-lee, the cure 
is not to be depended on. In old horses nothing can be done that will 
be of service. 

A CORB. 

This is a soft swelling that rises out of the joint on the back part 
of the hind-leg, just below the hock, and mostly lames the horse, be- 
sides being unpleasant to the eye. To cure it, strike a few holes 
into it with a pricker, made so as just to go through the skin, then 
rub well with oil of origanum, and blister as often as needful. 

A RING-BONE. 

This is so well known that I need not describe it, but only point 
out the remedy ; yet I must observe that a Sprain in the Coffin is 
sometimes taken for a Ring-bone when it causes a rim to rise just 
above the foot. Ring-bones come out from the pastern, between the 
fetlock and the foot ; but if the pastern is long, they are nearer the 
foot. 

They will generally yield to the same method of cure as a Corb, 
especially if just coming out, but if not, recourse must be had to firing. 

Splents, Osselets, or any other bony or fleshy substances on the 
legs may be cured in the same manner. A Splent on the shank-bone 
is only a grievance to the eye, and will go away of itself when the 
horse comes to age ; but the sooner those that are near the knees 
or the tendons are removed the better. 

MALLENDERS AND SALLENDERS. 

The first is on the fore-leg, at the bend of the knee, and the last on 
the hind-leg, at the bend of the hdugh. They crack and throw out a 
thin brown matter, and sometimes a hard scurf, or scab, which pre- 
vents the horse from bending the limbs which are affected as he 
should do. 

Cure. They both proceed from the same cause, and consequently 
require the same treatment ; which consists in washing the parts with 
old chamber-lie, or a warm lather of soap-suds, and afterwards ap- 
plying strong mercurial ointment, spread on tow, to the cracks, once 
a day till the scabs fall off, when the cure will be completed ; and 
then it will be necessary to give him a dose or two of physic. If the 
disorder will not yield to the mercurial ointment, make a strong mix- 
ture of vitriol water, and wash the cracks with it, and it will dr? 
them up, and cause the scabs to fall off. 

THE STRANGLES. 

Most horses have this disorder while young, but at seven yea*« 
oil they are out of danger. There are two kinds of this disorder. 



52 THE COMPLETE FARRIER. 

The common kind is a swelling under or between the jav.-jsiea. 
The other, which is called the bastard kind, is much the worst. 
Sometimes swellings appear on the buttocks, break, and discharge 
matter for a few days, and then dry up, after which others appear in 
a fresh place in the same manner. I have known horses that have 
had this complaint eight or ten weeks. 

The common kind begins with a swelling between the jaw-bones, 
which sometimes extends to the muscles of the tongue, and is. often 
attended with so much heat, pain and inflammation, that before the 
matter is formed the creature swallows with the utmost difficulty. 

Symptoms. The Strangles is attended with great heat and fever, a 
painful cough, and great inclination to drink, without being able. 
Some horses lose their appetites entirely, and others eat but very 
little, occasioned by the pain resulting from the motion of the jaws in 
chewing and swallowing. When the horse runs much at the nose, it 
is not a good sign. 

Although this disease is very troublesome, it is not dangerous, 
except when the swelling turns upwards against the windpipe and 
gullet, and then there is danger of suffocation if it do not break soon. 

Cure. The Strangles is not properly a disease, but a discharge 
common to young horses, and therefore it follows that the discharge 
must be promoted in order to throw off the offensive matter. The 
best method of doing this is to keep the swelling always soft by soak- 
ing it with softening ointment, such as marshmallows, or elder oint- 
ment. I have known oil of swallows, with a little spirits of hartshorn 
in it, be very useful in bringing the swelling forward and causing k 
to break. A cloth in the form of a cap, put on the horse's head, and 
stuffed with wool to keep the swelling warm, will be of great service. 
Some people apply a poultice, but there is no need of this if the above 
be properly used. Give plenty of warm water, with a little meal on 
it : for in this disorder a horse cannot swallow dry meat enough for 
its support. 

Sometimes the Strangles gather four or five times, and break in 
many places ; and you must observe that if the orifices are not wide 
enough, they must be opened with the point of a knife, and by this 
means it will be prevented from breaking out in so many places. 
After the swelling appears, it will be five or six days before it breaks 
and discharges. There is always a small discharge at the nostrils, 
but it is little or no grievance to the horse. 

When the swelling is broken, and the orifice of a proper size to 
discharge the matter, dress with the following ointment spread on tow. 

Take Yellow Rosin and Burgundy Pitch, of each one pound; Honey and Common 
Turpentine, of each half a pound; Bees' Wax, four ounces; Hogs' Lard, one pound 
and a half; and of Verdigrise, finely powdered, one ounce. Melt the ingredients to- 
gether, but do not put the Verdigrise in till nearly cold, and keep stirring all the time 
till cold, or the Verdigrise will fall to the bottom. 

This is one of the best salves for wounds that has been found out, 
and especially for old ones. 

The Bastard Strangles requires the same kind of treatment, but it 
is proper to give the horse a dose or two of calomel physic also. 



THE COMPLETE FARPtlER. 53 



THE GLANDERS 



This disease has baffled all who have tried to cure it, and probably 
will do so to the end of time ; so I advise those who may have a 
glandered horse, to put him off as soon as they shall be certain that 
he is so. People often mistake other disorders for the Glanders. A 
violent cold sometimes causes a running at the nostrils, and kernels 
under the jaws, when the horse is free from the Glanders. Some- 
times a running at the nostrils is caused by laying too much weight 
on a horse. I once bought one at Boroughbridge fair, which I soon 
after sold, and eleven weeks after that had him returned as a glan- 
dered horse ; but I kept him for some time afterwards, and he neither 
infected others nor lost his flesh. This horse was bought from a 
miller, who had overloaded him, which caused him to bleed at the 
nose; afterwards he began to run at the nose, and did so during the 
lime that I had him, which was nearly half a year. I do not pre- 
iend to cure this disorder. 

Symptoms. The matter discharged from the nostrils of a glandered 
liorse is either white, yellow, greenish, or streaked or tinged with 
Wood. When the disease has been of long standing, and the bones 
ure fouled, the matter turns blackish, and becomes very bad. 

The glanders is always attended with a swelling of Jie kernels, or 
glands under the jaws, but in every other respect the horse is gener- 
ally healthy and sound, till the disorder has continued some time 3 and 
the morbid matter has affected other parts. 

If a thin limpid fluid be first discharged, and afterwards a whitish 
matter; if the gland under the jaw do not continue to swell, and the 
disorder shall have been recently contracted, a speedy cure may be 
effected by applying the following. 

1 oz. of Roach Alum. 
1 do. White Vitriol. 

Powder these well, put them into a pint of warm vinegar, and s^, 
ringe about an ounce up his nostrils every day. This may do good 
if the disorder be newly caught. 

SWELUNGS AND IMPOSTHUMES. 

It is difficult to treat on Swellings, as so many external or internal 
accidents happen to horses ; the former by blows or bruises, and the 
latter by disorders. 

When a swelling is in its first stage, bathe it well with verjuice, or 
vinegar, with a little saltpetre dissolved in it; and if the swelling still 
continue, mix — 

1 oz. of Extract of Lead. 1 oz. of Spirits of Sal Ammoniac. 

1 do. Spirits of Wine. 3 do. Vinegar. 

Rub the swelling well with it; but if it be very hot, add four ounces 
of water instead of the vinegar. Should the swelling come forward 
and form matter, which you may feel by the pressure of your finger, 
let the matter out, but be sure to malre the incisi@n large enough that 
you may dress it with ease. When vou have laid the part open, dress 



54 THE COMPLETE FARRIER. 

it w ith the green salve before recommended, on tow, for you cannot 
i.ave a more proper salve. The next time you dress it, that is thr 
, J ay after, make a wash of the following: — 

2 oz. of Spirits of Wine. 1 oz. of Roach Alum. 

2 do. Spirits of Rosemary. 2 do. Water. 

Mix these all together, and they will answer the purpose extremelj 
well. When you have washed the wound with the above mixture, 
lay on a little green salve, on tow, and bind it on if you can, but if 
you cannot, lay on a plaster to keep it on. 

Some swellings, such as have been caused by bad barfens on the 
shoulders, or blows on the legs, will not submit to weak mixtures, nor 
come to matter in a reasonable time. Mix the following, and it will 
either take them off or bring them to matter. 

2 oz. of Oil of Spike, mmmm \ oz. of Oil of Origanum. 

I do. Oil of Amber, mmmna 1 do. Oil of Turpentine. 

Mix these well together, and rub the swelling well with them every 
other day. I have known this remove obstinate swellings. 

WOUNDS, 

Wounds are caused by accidents of various kinds. When the skin 
is much torn from the flesh, if you are at hand while the wound is 
quite fresh, take a square-pointed needle and a waxed thread, anl 
sew it up. Mind to put the needle in straight, one side over against 
the other; draw the skin tight, and lie a knot; cut off" the thread, and 
then take another stitch about an inch off, and so proceed. When 
some people sew up a wound they do it the same as they would sew n 
piece of cloth, but that is quite wrong, for they should tie a knot al 
every stitch, and cut the thread off. 

But when you do not see the wound till the place is growing dead, 
and the skin is drawing up, then take off the loose skin; for if you 
keep it on it will curl up, and leave a blemish. Always keep the lips 
of the wound down. 

When a wound is upon or near a joint, there is danger of its throw- 
ing out a joint-lee, of which there are three kinds. One, and mostly 
the first, is thin and brown, something like sweet wort : the second is 
rather thicker and tougher, something like melted glue ; and the third, 
which is the worst, is like muddy water and snort mixed together. 
This last has deceived many people ; for when the wound has thrown 
out this kind of lee, with little white slippery pieces, something like 
matter, it has often been taken for such. When you find any of 
these kinds of lee, get a bottle of Riga Balsam, and syringe the 
wound every day. If Riga Balsam cannot be got, use Tincture of 
Benjamin. I have known fomentations be of great use, especially on 
the stiffle joint. When the wound is of a dead color, and the lips 
rise, and the dirty lee flows profusely, the cure is to be despaired of. 

If proud flesh rise when a wound is in a fair way for healing, take — 
1 oz. of Basillicon. 2 drams of Red Precipitate. 

Mix them well together, and lay them on the proud flesh. This 
ointment is also very proper to dress a wound with that appears dead 



THE COMPLETE FARRIER. 55 

and does not discharge a proper matter. If the proud flesh do not 
submit to the above, lay on a little blue vitriol, in powder, or touch it 
with caustic or oil of vitriol ; and should none of these make it give 
way, lay on a little corrosive sublimate. The salves, tinctures and 
mixtures already laid down are sufficient to cure any curable wound. 

HURTS IN THE FEET. 

Horses are oftener hurt in the Feet than any where else, and those 
hurts are often received from the blacksmith. Every blacksmith 
should be a farrier, and every farrier a blacksmith, for these busi- 
nesses should go hand in hand. What is a man fit for who has got 
the theoretical part without the practical 1 A man that has a head 
and no tongue will do but little mischief, but one that has a tongue and 
no head may do much. Few of the fine farriers sent from the hospitals 
have done any good, but many of them a great deal of hurt. A man 
without education who has a gift, is better than a man who has edu- 
cation but no gift ; and a man of sobriety will far excel one without 
it. A fine tongue often proves a snake in the grass. 

Sometimes a horse is lamed by being shod into the quick. The 
foot should always be carefully examined on the first appearance of 
lameness. Sometimes a nail with a flaw in it will cause a great 
grievance, as one part will come out and the other will go into the 
foot. Blacksmiths should never use such nails except in a frost, 
when they can put them into the old holes. Sometimes they leave 
stumps, or pieces of nails in the feet ; and sometimes when they 
drive a nail they turn the point into the foot, and then draw it back 
and put in another, taking no further thought about it, and when the 
horse becomes lame they say he is gravelled. Few blacksmiths will 
stop at telling a lie to clear themselves. 

When a horse has got lamed in the foot, be careful to cut it well 
out, and to damage the hoof as little as possible, and dress the place 
with oil of turpentine, spirits of tar, and common tar. Lay no hot, 
drying drugs on, unless proud flesh rise. 

Sometimes corns in the heels cause a horse to be lame ; — cut them 
out, and dress the place with aquafortis. There is another fault which 
blacksmiths are guilty of, and which is a great hurt to a horse, that 
is, cutting or paring the heel down too much. The heel being best to 
come at, they clap the paring-knife there and cut them down, when 
there is no need to take any off them at all. The heels are the great- 
est support of the horse, and by paring them too thin, both corns and 
lameness in the back sinews are produced. 

Before a blacksmith begins to shoe a valuable horse, especially a 
road-horse, he should examine how he stands and how he goes. If 
tie go low, heavy shoes should be used ; but if he high, light ones. If 
ne turn his toes out, he will cut with the heel, and if he turn them in, 
will cut with the spurn. If he have a thin, flat foot, he should have 
broad shoes ; but if a hollow, dished foot, narrow ones. If the crust 
De thin, and the vein near, small nails should be used. 

Some horses are hoof-bound, that is, have strait heels which pinch 



5ti THE COMPLETE FARRIER. 

the vein between the hoof and the coffin. When this is the case, thin 
the soles of tiie feet till the blood springs through, and then put on 
screw-shoes, and screw the feet out. Let the screw-shoes stay on a 
fortnight. You may screw the feet out more than, half an inch. 

The next thing to be considered is gravel rising from the bottom to 
the top of the foot, and breaking out at the cornet. How many twit- 
ter- bones have been thus formed that might have been prevented! 
When the gravel comes up to the top of the foot, take away the sole 
at the bottom, and the hoof at the top, and mix equal parts of oil of 
turpentine and oil of origanum, and bathe the top part of the foot. 
This will prevent a Twitter from forming. 

A TWITTER-BONE. 

A Twitter-bone makes a horse very lame, and not fit for work. It 
keeps throwing a tough white matter out of what is called a pipe. In 
order to cure it, first find out to where the pipe leads. This you may 
do with a piece of round lead, the size of a small quill-barrel. Have 
the following ready, viz. 

Half an oz. of Sublimate, in fine powder, put into t oz. of Spirits of Salt, and as sogd aa 
the Spirits dissolve the Sublimate, put to it the juice of a middle-sized lemon 

Mix all together, and syringe a squirt full into the pipe when you 
take the lead out; and when you draw out the point of the syringe, 
put your thumb upon the place to prevent it coming back again, and 
then put on a pledget of green salve and tow. Do this every other 
day, for three or four times, and by this method most Twitters may 
be removed. But, if this method fail, the next thing to be done is to 
put a hot iron, the thicknes of a small finger, where the pipe leads to, 
and to fill the hole with sublimate, and bind on it a pledget of green 
salve with a cloth. Let it be five days, and then lay on some more 
salve and tow, and in five da) r s more the twitter-bone and pipe will 
come out. The wound must be washed with the following mixture, 
and dressed with green salve and tow every other day, till nearly well. 
loz.ofBole. 1 oz. of Oil of Origanum. 4 oz. of Oil of Turpentine. 

Shake them up well together, and they will both help to heal the 
wound and to bring down the substance. If any more twitter-bones or 
pipes form, you must take thenf out in the same manner. 

A FiSTULA, AND BRUISES OF THE WITHERS. 

This disorder has formerly baffled many people who were expert in 
surgery, but of late years it has been better understood, and the cure 
more easily performed. The Withers are very subject to bruises, 
which are often caused by bad saddles, or such as are too wide in the 
front ; but, whatever be the cause, it is well known that by neglect 
they often terminate in a Fistula. 

When the withers are bruised and a swelling appears, lay a poultice 
of bran and vinegar over the part. People who have a horse which 
is crushed in the Withers, and pay no regard to it, are worse than 
savages, and are not fit to have such an useful animal. 



THE COMPLETE FARRIER. 57 

Cure. After a horse has been bruised in the Withers, the skin 
breaks and matter is discharged; and then the owner supposes that the 
abcess will subside, but he is often mistaken ; and the pipe which he 
perceives throwing out matter, is at the same time running forwards 
in the Withers, and forming a Fistula. When you find the disease 
proceeding in this manner, lay the pipe cpen with a sharp penknife all 
the length ; for if you leave any unopened, it will form a Fistula. 
After you have laid the place open, dress it with the following mixture. 

4 oz. of Potashes. 2 oz. of White Vitriol. 

4 do. of Honey. 1 pint of Vinegar. 

Boil all together, wash the wound well with the mixture, and lay on 
the green salve and tow. If the above be not dry enough, add two 
ounces more of white vitriol, and two. ounces of bole. These will 
make a salve by themselves ; and by these methods you may cure any 
disease of the Withers -arising from external injuries. 

But tumors often arise in the Withers from internal causes, such as 
the crisis of Fevers. When this happens you must not attempt to stop 
it., nor use anything to put it back, for by this means you would drive 
it more into the shoulder-blades, and make it worse to cure ; but, on 
the contrary, do everything you can to assist nature in bringing it for- 
ward. You cannot do better than lay on poultices twice a day till it 
breaks, for reason tell us that it is better to do so than to cut it ; but 
when it is broken, open the orifice with a knife, that you may have 
more freedom in dressing it; but be careful in using the knife, that 
you do not catch hold of the ligament which turns along the neck to 
the Withers. Sometimes it runs to the other side of the neck, under 
the Withers. The cure is the same as before. Lay all the cavities 
open with the knife, and do not cut across if you can avoid it. Then 
take the following never failing mixture to dress with. 

4 oz. of Crude Sal Ammoniac. 2 oz. Pearl-Ashes. 

2 do. Bole. 2 do. White Vitriol. 

8 do. Money. 1 pint of Vinegar. 

Boil all together, and apply it to the wound every day at first, and 
afterwards every other day till well. 

WARBLES, GIRTH-GALLS, AND PLUSHES FROM 
SADDLES. 

These grievances are commonly known, and every one has a cure 
for them, as he calls it. Some lay on hot spirits, and others blue stone 
vitriol, and many other things ; but such things are very improper, 
for they always leave the grieved part hard and sore ; but the follow, 
ing mixture will effect a cure, take off the soreness, and leave the skin 
kind. I may affirm that it is one of the best recipes yet found out for 
the purpose. Take 

2 oz. of Extract of Lead. 2 oz. Spirits of Wine. 

I do. White Copperas. 4 do. Soft Water. 

hlihhh 1 oz. Spirits of Sal Ammoniac. 

Mix all together in a bottle, keep shaking it up, and rub the affected 
I ^uces well with it, and put your saddles and barfens on while the 
piaccs are w„«t, in order to prevent them from infecting other horses. 



58 THE COMPLETE FARRIER 

Sometimes horses have what are called Setfasts on their hack* 
Rub them with a little mercurial ointment, in order to raise them and 
make them come off; and if you cannot pull them out after using the 
ointment, cut them out with a sharp knife, and apply to the place the 
above mixture, or heal it up as a common wound. 

WINDGALLS. 

These are mostly on the hind-legs, near the fetlock, but I have known 
them above the fetlock, and on the arm. Windgalls are not only eye- 
sores, but lame many a horse. Many methods are tried to disperse 
them without effect. If you put your finger on one side and your 
thumb on the other, and press with one of them, you will find the 
Windgall to go quite through the leg. The reason that they are most- 
ly on the hind-legs is, because the horse stands lower behind than be 
fore, and throws most weight on the hind-legs. 

Cure. On the first appearance of a Windgall, bathe the place well 
with warm vinegar and spirits of wine, and put a pretty tight bandage 
round it. If this do not remove it, lay on blistering ointment till the 
cure shall be completed. But should this method also fail, which it 
seldom does, you must lay the Windgall open, and dress it as a com- 
mon wound. Before you use the knife, be careful to get the horse's 
body into a proper cool state by physic. 

Some people fire to cure Windgalls, running the iron on the skin, 
(what is called scoring,) but thereby do little good, as that cannot 
destroy the bag of wind and matter. It may draw the skin a little 
tighter, so that the Windgall will not appear so large. 

THE GREASE. 

This disorder is mostly brought on by soft corn, hard usage, want 
of proper cleaning, or a depraved state of the blood and juices; there- 
fore it is proper to divide it into two heads. 

Cure, when the Vessels are relaxed. On first observing the 
legs of a horse to swell after standing several hours, and to recover 
their proper dimensions with exercise, be careful to wash them clean 
with chamber-lie, soap-suds, or vinegar and water, every time he 
comes in, for this will prevent or remove the disorder. Horses that 
have round or fleshy legs are more subject to the grease than those 
that have flat legs; but a flat-legged horse is more easily sprained. 
Nitre, sulphur, and liver of antimony, are proper both to prevent the 
grease and to refine the blood. Mix equal parts of each, and give a 
meat-spoonful every day in his food. 

Cure for the Grease from Internal Causes. If the horse be 
full of flesh, the cure must be begun by bleeding, rowels, and repeat- 
ed purging ; after which two ounces of the following balls should be 
given every ether day for some time, and they will work by urine the 
day following. 

4 oz. of Yellow Rosin. 2 oz. of Salt of Tartar. 

2 do. Salt of Pfunel. 8 do. Castile Soap. 

1 do. Oil of Juniper. 1 do. Camphor. 



THE COMPLETE FARRIER. 59 

Put these into a mortar with about two ounces of honey, or as much 
fts will make them into balls, and they will carry off the offending hu- 
mors, and free the blood from its noxious qualities. But, at the same 
time that these internal remedies are taken, outward ones should not 
be omitted. The legs should be bathed with warm verjuice, and, if 
very bad, a poultice of boiled turnips applied. If turnips cannot be 
got, make a poultice of linseed meal and bran, with a little hog's lard 
in to prevent it from growing hard. 

Sometimes horses are neglected when in the Grease till they have 
what are called grape-legs. These may be cured on their first ap- 
pearance, when they are in the bud, by laying on caustic, or cor- 
rosive sublimate. When the swelling is abated, make the following 
into a salve to dress the sores with. 

4 oz. of Honey. 2 oz. of White Lead, in powder. 

1 oz. Blue Stone Vitriol, in powder. 

Mix these well together, and lay them on the sores with tow to heal 
them ; but, should they continue foul, and not frame to heal, mix four 
ounces of green salve, and four ounces of iEgyptiacum ointment well 
together, and lay it on in the above manner. This mixture will both 
heal and dry up the sores. 

SCRATCHES. 

This disease is a forerunner of the Grease, and is a hot oozing 
matter that breaks out like kins, with a nauseous smell. It is very 
troublesome to a horse, causing his heels to look red and angry, and 
to be very sore ; and sometimes it is so violent as to render a horse 
lame, and unfit for use. 

If you do not bleed and physic as soon as you find a heat in a 
horse's heels, you may soon. have him laid up in the Grease. Some- 
times in slight touches of this complaint the heels are not hotter than 
usual. In that case, take a little flour of sulphur and spirits of wine, 
mix them together into an ointment, and fill the cracks well with it. 
When the disorder is too hot to be healed by this ointment, rub with 
a little iEgyptiacum ointment, but be careful not to lay too much on, 
for it is a great drier. 

Rat-tails at first resemble the Grease, and are attended with a hot 
scorbutic humor at the beginning, and often by neglect destroy the 
roots of the hair, and then there is no complete cure for them, but 
they may be relieved by rubbing with equal parts of strong mercurial 
ointment and Flanders oil of bays. 

If a horse have got the Scurvy, or Scabs on his legs, this ointment 
will mostly take them off; but if not, mix well with hog's lard, one 
dram of sublimate, in fine powder. These two last mixtures will cure 
«iost Scabs, and mixed together they will cure the Itch. 

THE CROWN SCAB. 

This disorder is similar to the last. It breaks out on the cornet of 
the foot, and is at first a hot running tumor, and afterwards a dry, 



60 THE COMPLETE FARRIER. 

scurfy scab. Let the horse be bled and physicked, and then rub hire 
with either of the above ointments, and the cure will be effected. 



DIRECTIONS FOR MANAGING A HORSE ON A JOURNEY. 

In the first place, find out whether the horse is in health, and has 
been properly fed and exercised ; for when a horse is flushed up, and 
has had no exercise, he is very unfit for a journey. Before you set 
out be careful to observe if his shoes are fast, and if they sit easy ; 
also whether he cuts before or behind, or interferes, as it is called. 
If a horse cut with bad shoes, he will probably do it with new ones, 
notwithstand ng what horse-dealers may say to the contrary. 

If your horse's back inflame by the rubbing of the saddle, wash the 
part as soon as you perceive it, with salt and water, or vinegar and 
water, and have the stuffing of the saddle altered so as to remove the 
pressure from the part affected : but if the skin be Li'oken before you 
perceive it, the injured part should be washed with a mixture, com- 
posed of equal parts of extract of lead, spirits of wine, and water. You 
must look well after his back, and walk sometimes, in order to ease 
him, especially when going down a hill. 

It often happens, especially to young horses, that the legs swell, or 
become gourdy, as farriers call it, with travelling , and more frequent- 
ly when a horse cuts. It is also observed that the hind-legs swell 
oftener than the fore-legs, because the fore-parts stand highest in the 
stall, and consequently the greatest stress lies on the hind-legs. The 
best method of prevention is to wash the legs with warm water every 
time you bait, by which means the disease will be prevented, and 
much time, trouble and expense saved. Soft warm water that will 
bear soap, is as good for the purpose as it can be made by any ad- 
dition, and washing the legs with it, when made pretty warm, will 
seethe out the sand and the dirt, open the pores, give circulation to the 
blood, much defend the juices in these depending parts, and prevent 
Dther disorders. You should also see that your horse has a. W'de stand, 
good dressing, and proper bedding, as these things will be of *he great- 
est use in preventing the limbs from swelling. 

Few grooms dress a horse properly, but it should be remembered 
ihat he who intends his horse to perform his duty well, must taV« care 
that he is well cleaned ; and as nothing is more conducive to J^alth 
Jian friction, his skin should be rubbed till the whole is of a flawing 
neat, and then with proper feeding he will answer his master'" ex- 
pectations. 

Nothing is of more consequence in travelling than to take car» that 
your horse has water at proper times and in proper quantities. When 
a horse travels he perspires considerably, especially in hot weather, 
and should therefore be allowed to drink a little more than usual as 
opportunity offers, which will refresh him greatly ; but never su^er 
him to drink much at a time, for if you suffer him to drink his fill he 
will be dull and sluggish afterwards, besides the harm he may receive 
from drinking too much cold water when he is hot. When you com* 



THE COMPLETE FARRJER. 6] 

near the place you intend to bait at, either at noon or night, that is, 
within a mile, or a mile and a half of it, you may suffer him to drink 
more freely, going at a moderate trot afterwards, by which means the 
water will be warmed in his belly, and he will go in cool. Observe, 
however, that if there is no water on the road, you should never suffer 
your horse to be led to water, or to have his heels washed, after you 
have arrived at your inn, but let him have luke-warm water when he 
has stood some time in the stable. Much mischief has been done by 
imprudent riders, who after travelling hard, have suffered their horses 
to drink as much as they would just at going into the town, or inn 
where they intended to lie. 

It is a general rule that when any extraneous body, or foreign mat- 
ter, such as sand or gravel, is lodged in any part of the animal's body, 
it must be extracted as soon and as easily as possible. When gravel- 
ly matter has got into the quick at a nail-hole, or any other aperture, 
it ought to be removed as soon as possible, but with as little loss of 
substance as the nature of the case will admit of, for it is a folly to 
cut and pair away the hoof as some ignorant farriers do ; because by 
that means they increase the evil instead of removing it, as it is a 
considerable time before the breach is prepared, and till that is done 
the same part is likely to admit *more gravel. So much, therefore, 
and no more, of the hoof should be taken away as is absolutely 
necessary, viz. till the blackness or discoloration vanishes ; then the 
wound should be dressed with the following balsam. 

I oz. of Gum Benjamin. 3 drams of Storax. 

I do. Balsam of Peru. 3 do. Socotrine Aloes. 

6 drams of Myrrh. 3 do. Frankincense. 

3 drams Gum Guaiacutn. 

Powder the ingredients that will powder, and put them in a bottle 
with one quart of spirits of wine, and let them stand warm for eight 
or ten days, shaking the bottle up every day. This is an excellent 
balsam for green wounds, and no person that keeps valuable horses 
should be without it. Apply it warm to the wound, dipping a piece 
of tow or lint into it, and fastening it on to the part out of which the 
gravel or thorn has been taken, and renew it as it grows dry. 

Sprains and twistings of the joints sometimes happen on a journey 
without any sensible heat or swelling, so that farriers often mistake 
where the aliment lies. The place must therefore be carefully sought 
for, and if you cannot find it, do not begin to doctor where there is no 
grievance. It may be a slight rheumatic affection, and go off of its 
own accord. In a sprain of the back sinews, be careful not to lay on 
anything hot or blistering while on your journey, if you can avoid it. 

A horse is often seized with the Gripes on a journey, the best and 
shortest cure for which is the following. 

9 drams of Tincture of Opium. 1 oz. of Spirits of Sweet nitre. 
2 oz. Olive Oil. 

Mix the above in half a pint of mint-water, give it to the horse, and 
at the same time bed him well, that he may lie down to rest, and b' 
careful not to give him cold water for a day or two after. 

A horse that is subject to scouring, or purging, upon the road, has 



62 THE COMPLETE FARRIER. 

wliat is called a washy constitution, and such horses seldom bear 
hardships well, because the aliment passes off before it is thoroughly 
digested, which is a sign that the fibres of the stomach and bowels are 
lax; therefore such horses should not be chosen. Tne best method 
of curing this disorder is, to keep the horse chiefly on hard meat, and 
to gi\e him proper exercise, also adding a little of the following 
composition to each of his feeds. 

Aleppo Galls, finely powdered. Japan Earth, in powder. 

Irish Slate, in powder. 

Mix these all together, and put them into a bladder for use. Sprin- 
kle a little water on the horse's oats, rub them awhile, and then sprin- 
kle about half a spoonful of the powder upon them, and if he have 
not a very squeamish stomach he will eat them as well as usual. 

But remember to proportion the quantity of the powder to the 
degree of the disorder, or you may make him too costive, which will 
be as bad as the other extreme when the horse's constitution shall re- 
quire his being laxative rather than costive. 

When a horse purges upon the road, occasioned by foul feeding, or 
catching cold, give him the following. 

4 oz. of Venice Treacle. mAmm 1 oz. of Japan Earth. 

2 do. Armenian Bole. uimmm 1 do. Powdered Ginger. 

Make these up into four balls, and give them night and morning. 
When a horse has got a cough by catching cold, give 

4 oz. of Cordial Balls. 1 oz. of Liquorice Powder. 

1 oz. of Elecampane Bark. 

Give all together in warm ale, fasting, and to fast two hours after. 
I shall not here enlarge on the other diseases and accidents to 
which horses are continually liable, as that is sufficiently done in the 
foregoing pages. 

Before I conclude this chapter, I will give you the horse's address 
to his rider, (from Mr. Bracken's treatise,) which is well worth obser- 
tion. 

Up the hill spur me not; 
Down the hill ride me not; 
On the plain spare me not; 
To the Ostler trust me not. 

DIRECTIONS FOR RIDING. 

If people who have young horses would take a little pains with 
them at a year old, and halter them and make them tractable in hand, 
and at two years old put the bridle on, endeavoring to get them a 
mouth, and to make them submissive, their labor would not be lost. 
A horse should not be ridden till he is three years old, and care should 
be taken while he is breaking to cut his mouth as little as possible 
with the mouthing-bridle ; for when the mouth is much cut, it grows 
hard and horny afterwards, which hinders the animal from yielding 
to the pressure of the reins. When a horse is left at liberty till he is 
four years old, he will be very restive and stubborn. 

Most inexperienced riders hold the bridle tight when they discover 



THE COMPLETE FAKKIEE. 63 

he horse to be frightened, whereas, on the contrary, they should let 
the reins lie loose on his neck,, and he would quietly pass the object 
that offends his eye. Others turn the horse out of his track, and en- 
deavor to make him face the object ; but this method seldom has a 
good effect. When a horse starts at any thing, keep him in the road, 
and hold his head on the contrary side to the thing he starts at, press- 
ing your legs tight against his sides, by which means he may be led, 
for a horse will not always be forced up to what, has frightened him : 
gentle methods generally operate better than severe ones. The above 
method may perhaps be unnecessary in a managed horse, but even 
such a one should be made to look another way at the time of passing, 
unless it is something you wish him to become accustomed to the sight 
of. A horse whose fear arises from not being accustomed to objects, 
should not be treated in this manner, because his starting is merely 
owing to an active and lively disposition. 

The best way to reconcile a horse's ear to the sound of a drum, is 
by beating one near him at the time of feeding ; but when you are 
learning him to bear this, or the firing of a gun, do it at some distance 
at first, and by that means you will not only familiarize him to it, but 
make it pleasant as a forerunner of his meat ; whereas if he were, 
forced he might start at it as long as he lived. May not this method 
he applied to his starting at other things, and show that it would oe 
better to suffer him, provided he does not turn back, to go a little from, 
and avoid an object he dislikes, and to accustom him to it by 
convincing him that it will not hurt him, than to punish him ? 

It is a common supposition that a horse fears nothing so much as 
his rider, but. this supposition is not true ; for it is no wonder that a 
horse should be afraid of a loaded wagon. May not the hanging load 
seem to threaten to fall upon him ? To mitigate such timidity, press 
your leg hard on the opposite side, turning his head at the same time, 
and he will quietly pass. 

Is it not natural to suppose that when a horse is driven up to a car- 
riage that he starts at, that he conceives himself obliged either to at- 
tack or run against it ? How can he otherwise understand his ride? 
when he spurs him on with his face towards it ? A horse is easily 
alarmed, for he will even start from a hand that is going to caress 
him; therefore he should not be forced to that which he dislikes ; for, 
if he once gains his end, he will repeat that which has foiled his rider. 
The proper way is to use him to some tone of voice which he may un- 
derstand as an expression of dislike to what he is doing, for in all 
horses there is a spirit of opposition. 

When you meet with a carriage on the road which you think will 
frighten your horse, if you once let him know he is to pass it, be sure 
you remain determined, and press him on, especially when part of 
the carriage is past, for if he is accustomed to tun. round and go back 
when he is frightened, he will certainly do it if he finds by your hands 
and legs slackening that you are irresolute ; and this at the most dan- 
gerous point of time, when the wheels of the carriage take him as he 
turns. Remember not to touch the curb rein at this time, for that 
would certainly check him. Ride with a snaffle, and if you have a 



64 THE COMPLETE FARRIER. 

curb, only use it occasionally. Choose a snaffle that is full and thick 
in the mouth, especially at the ends where the reins are fastened. 
To regulate the management of the curb is a nice matter — some peo- 
pie apply the weight of the arm where only a slight turn of the wrist 
is required. 

Some people think the bridle has the chief power over a horse, 
but it has not ; for instance if the left spur touch him, and he is at 
the same time prevented from going forward, he has a sign which he 
will soon understand to move sideways to the right. In the same man- 
ner he moves to the left if the right spur is closed to him ; and after- 
wards from fear of the spur he obeys a touch of the leg, in the same 
manner as a horse moves his croup from one side of the stall to the 
other when he is touched by the hand. In short he will never disobey 
the leg unless he become restive. By this means you will have great 
power over him, for he will move sideways if you close one leg to him 
and forward if both ; and even when he stands still, your legs held neair 
him will keep him on the watch, and with the slightest unseen motion 
of the bridle upwards he will raise his head and shew himself to 
advantage. 

On this use of the rider's legs in the guidance of the horse's croup 
are founded all the airs, as riding masters call them, by which troopers 
are taught to close or open their ranks, and indeed all their evolu 
lions. 

When a horse starts and is flying on one side, if you-put your leg 
on that side it will stop his spring immediately, and he will go pastth'3 
object he started at, keeping straight on, or as you choose to direct 
him ; and he will not fly back at anything if you press him with both 
your legs. 

You must keep his haunches under him when going down a hill, and 
help him on the side of a bank more easily to avoid the wheel of a 
carriage, and to approach nearer and more gracefully to the side of a 
coach or horseman. 

When a pampered horse curvets irregularly, twisting his body to 
and fro, turn his head either to the right or left, or both alternately, 
but without letting him move out of his track, and press your leg to 
the opposite side ; he cannot then spring on his hind legs to one side, 
because your leg prevents him, nor to the other because his head is 
turned that way, and a horse does not start and spring the way he 
looks. 

The above rules may be of some use to inexperienced horsemen, by 
shewing them that something more is needful than what is taught by 
the breakers, and that force will seldom, if ever, make a horse subser- 
vient to his rider. 

As to Nicking, Firing, Cropping, and Wrapping a broken bone, I 
must leave them to those that have knowledge of such things, fni 
no general rules can be given for them. 



